National
Occupational
Standards
National Occupational Standards for
Community Development
Contents
You can use the links
below to take you directly
to different sections.
Introduction
The Community Development practitioner
4
The definition of Community Development
4
The changing context of Community Development
5
About National Occupational Standards
5
Key values
7
Overview and use of the Community Development standards
List of standards
Glossary
9
12
14
Key Area One (Core):
Understand and Practise Community Development 24
S1
Integrate and use the values and process of Community Development
30
S2
Work with the tensions inherent in Community Development practice
32
S3
Relate to different communities
34
S4
Demonstrate competence and integrity as a Community Development practitioner
36
S5
Maintain Community Development practice within own organisation
38
Key Area Two:
Understand and Engage with Communities 40
S6
Get to know a community
42
S7
Facilitate community research and consultations
44
S8
Analyse and disseminate findings from community research
46
Key Area Three:
Take a Community Development Approach to
Group Work and Collective Action
2
48
S9
Support inclusive and collective working through Community Development practice
50
S10
Organise community events and activities 52
S11
Respond to community conflict
54
S12
Support communities to campaign for change
56
National Occupational Standards Community Development
Contents
Key Area Four:
Promote and Support a Community Development Approach to
Collaborative and Cross-sectoral Working
58
S13
Promote and support effective relationships between communities and public bodies
61
S14
Encourage and support public bodies to build effective relationships with communities 63
S15
Use a Community Development approach to support collaborative and partnership work 65
S16
Apply a Community Development approach to strategically co-ordinate networks and partnerships 67
Key Area Five:
Support Community Learning from Shared Experiences
69
S17
Promote and develop opportunities of learning from Community Development practice 72
S18
Facilitate community learning for social and political development
74
Key Area Six:
Provide Community Development Support to Organisations 76
S19
Advise on organisational structures using Community Development perspectives
79
S20
Plan and gain resources and funding for sustainability through Community Development practice 81
S21
Strengthen groups using Community Development approaches and practice
83
S22
Set up new projects and partnerships using Community Development approaches and practice
85
S23
Use a Community Development approach to monitoring and evaluation
87
Key Area Seven:
Manage and Develop Community Development Practice
S24
Supervise Community Development practitioners
89
92
S25Manage internal organisational development and external relationships
to support effective Community Development practice.
94
National Occupational Standards Community Development
3
Back to contents page
Introduction
Introduction
These revised National Occupational Standards for Community Development will
provide a cornerstone and guiding framework for all community development
practice across a wide range of roles, settings, levels of responsibility and present
and future challenges.
The first National Occupational Standards for community work were produced in 1995 through the Care
Sector Consortium and were followed by a second revision of the community development work standards
in 2002 through Paulo, the National Training Organisation that covered community development work.
These are the third generation Community Development National Occupational Standards. A wide range of
community development employers and practitioners have been actively involved at every stage, both past
and present. The review process that has produced these revised standards involved a Project Steering
Group, a website survey, research into other related occupational standards and competency frameworks,
and 40 day-long events involving 756 participants across England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
The term Community Development practitioner
Community Development is undertaken by a wide range of people in many different roles and settings, and
some people may utilise their skills in Community Development in different settings – both paid and as a
volunteer. These standards apply the term Community Development practitioner to anyone who undertakes
Community Development practice (as defined in these standards) – whether as a generic community
development worker or a member of another profession/occupation who is using a community development
approach, and whether as a paid worker or a community activist /volunteer.
The definition of Community Development is expressed in
the following key purpose:
Community Development is a long–term value based process which aims to address imbalances in power
and bring about change founded on social justice, equality and inclusion.
The process enables people to organise and work together to:
• identify their own needs and aspirations
• take action to exert influence on the decisions which affect their lives
• improve the quality of their own lives, the communities1 in which they live, and societies of which
they are a part.
1
4
Communities refer to those that can be defined geographically and/or those defined by interest.
National Occupational Standards Community Development
Back to contents page
Introduction
The changing context for Community Development
The interest in, and contexts for, community development practice have extended significantly since the first
standards were developed, as the policies of successive governments, administrations and organisations
have recognised the need to work effectively with communities. The Community Development workforce is
composed of:
• Community Development workers – with generic or specific briefs
• Community Development activists/ volunteers
• Other professional workers taking a Community Development approach to their role
• Managers of Community Development practice – these may be paid or volunteer employers
(trustees).
Community Development workers may be employed by Local Authorities, Primary Care Trusts or other NHS
organisations, voluntary and community organisations, and a wide range of other organisations, agencies
and partnerships. They may be neighbourhood based or have a community of interest or identity based
focus. They may have a generic brief that is totally determined by the interests of the community, or start with
a policy agenda, for example improving health.
Community Development activists/volunteers often have a wealth of experience and skills they have
developed over many years of involvement. They have a unique role and particular relationship to
their communities. Their practice is frequently as ’professional’ as paid workers and they are often the
‘driving force’ for change. They can also provide valuable support to other less experienced Community
Development practitioners.
Other workers who are increasingly taking a Community Development approach include for example,
community health workers, housing support workers, planners, community welfare rights workers, drugs and
alcohol support workers, workers on advice and support projects for refugees, asylum seekers and migrant
workers, workers employed in Community Voluntary Services or other voluntary and community sector
organisations, and firefighters.
As the range of workers using a community development approach has increased, so has the range of
people who are managing Community development practitioners. This highlights particular challenges and to
reflect this, the revised standards include the management of Community Development practice.
About National Occupational Standards
National Occupational Standards describe what a person needs to do, know and understand in their job,
in order to carry out their role in a consistent and competent way. In essence, they inform ‘best practice’ by
bringing together skills, knowledge and values. Lifelong Learning UK has worked in consultation with a wide
range of employers, partner organisations, and stakeholders to develop National Occupational Standards.
This ensures they are relevant and fit for purpose.
National Occupational Standards Community Development
5
Back to contents page
Introduction
While the National Occupational Standards are for use in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales
they have been developed in a way that should enable employers to use them appropriately in each nation.
It is recognised that this may vary from one nation to another.
Our aim is that the standards are versatile and support employers in a range of ways including:
• Performance management (for example appraisals)
• Identifying training needs
• Aid in structuring learning programmes (formal and informal)
• Recruitment and selection (for example job descriptions)
• Assessing achievement
• Formal and informal recognition of competence (for example Continuing Professional Development)
• Careers guidance and counselling
• Design of work programmes and projects.
National Occupational Standards follow a similar format across all sectors, however, Lifelong Learning UK
work with employers and others to ensure that the relevant information required to describe best practice is
included. Standards can inform qualification development and as a minimum must include:
• A title indicative of the content of the standard
• An overview of the content of the standard
• Knowledge, understanding and skills needed to effectively carry out your tasks and responsibilities
within a particular job role or function
• Performance statements as detailed descriptions of the activities which would represent effective
performance of the tasks within a standard.
Development of National Occupational Standards is usually preceded by both occupational and functional
mapping.
An occupational map provides the context and background to the development of National Occupational
Standards. It illustrates the main features and characteristics of job roles within an occupational sector,
highlighting overlaps with other roles and their boundaries with other sectors.
Although a comprehensive occupational map is needed for Community Development, information was
gathered through the consultation process to give a broad indication of the range of job roles involving
Community Development across all sectors.
A functional map identifies the functions that people carry out on a day to day basis as part of their job roles
within the broad work activities that take place across an occupational sector. This information then forms the
basis of National Occupational Standards development.
National Occupational Standards are free to use and easily downloaded from www.lluk.org and from www.
ukstandards.org.uk. We welcome your feedback and would like to hear how you have used the National
Occupational Standards, and in what ways they have supported your work. Please contact us at http://www.
lluk.org/national-occupational-standards.htm
6
National Occupational Standards Community Development
Back to contents page
Introduction
Key values
The extensive consultation that took place to inform these standards strongly identified the need and
wish that the values of Community Development be understood and reflected throughout any activity
that is described as Community Development practice, whether this is, for example, generic Community
Development work, a Community Development approach to health work or a community campaign.
The Community Development process is underpinned by a set of values on which all practice is based.
Community Development practitioners need to relate these values to their roles and actions. There are five
key values that underpin all community development practice:
Equality and Anti-discrimination
Community Development practice challenges structural inequalities and discriminatory practices. Community
Development recognises that people are not the same, but they are all of equal worth and importance and
therefore entitled to the same degree of respect and acknowledgement.
Community Development practitioners will work with communities and organisations to challenge the
oppression and exclusion of individuals and groups. This will be undertaken in a way which:
• Acknowledges where there is inequality and discrimination, and rejects and challenges any form of it
• Supports and develops anti-oppressive policies and practices
• Respects, values, supports and promotes the value of difference and diversity
• Promotes and supports diverse communities to agree on their common concerns and interests
• Acknowledges the diverse nature of society and seeks to understand and support others to
understand the nature of social diversity and oppression with respect to marginalised communities
and minorities.
Social Justice
The aim of increasing social justice is an essential element of Community Development practice. It involves
identifying and seeking to alleviate structural disadvantage and advocating strategies for overcoming
exclusion, discrimination and inequality.
Community Development practitioners will work with communities and organisations to achieve change and
the long-term goal of a more equal, non-sectarian society. This will be undertaken in a way which:
• Recognises that social justice incorporates environmental, political, cultural and economic justice
• Recognises and challenges inequalities and power differences
• Values diversity of experience
• Promotes human and civil rights and responsibilities
• Promotes a sustainable environment
• Challenges the underlying causes, and effects, of structural power imbalances
• Makes the link between local, societal and global contexts.
National Occupational Standards Community Development
7
Back to contents page
Introduction
Collective Action
Community Development practice is essentially about working with and supporting groups of people, to
increase their knowledge, skills and confidence so they can develop an analysis and identify issues which
can be addressed through collective action.
Community Development practitioners will work with communities to organise, influence and take action.
This will be undertaken in a way which:
• Promotes the active participation of people within communities
• Supports the rights of communities to organise, access support and take action
• Respects the rights of others when planning collective action
• Empowers communities to recognise and acknowledge their existing skills, knowledge and expertise
• Uses the power of the collective voice and of collective action
• Recognises the wealth of creative and positive resources present within communities.
Community Empowerment
Community Development practice seeks the empowerment of individuals and communities, through using
the strengths of the community to bring about desired changes. It involves supporting people to become
critical, creative, liberated and active participants, enabling them to take more control over their lives,
their communities and their environment. This process is based on mutual respect and equal and genuine
partnerships between all those involved.
Community Development practitioners will work with communities and organisations to work together. This
will be undertaken in a way which:
• Promotes the rights of communities to define themselves, their priorities and agendas for action
• Encourages an understanding and commitment to the long term nature of community development
practice
• Promotes the rights of communities to be consulted, involved in, and influence decision making that
affects their lives
• Promotes accountability and transparency
• Promotes co-operation as a means of connecting and strengthening communities
• Uses research to support communities in determining needs as a basis for influencing.
Working and Learning Together
Community Development practice promotes a collective process which enables participants to learn from
reflecting on their experiences; for example, examining to what extent particular activities helped them
to achieve their aims, how well they had identified the needs, and what they could have done differently.
Community Development learning is based on participatory and experiential processes with the aim of
improving future Community Development practice. Community Development learning and Community
Development practice are inseparable, the practice informs the learning in an ongoing cycle.
8
National Occupational Standards Community Development
Back to contents page
Introduction
Community Development practitioners will support individuals and communities working and learning
together. This will be undertaken in a way which:
• Recognises, shares and values skills, knowledge and experience
• Promotes empowerment through building on existing knowledge and skills
• Creates opportunities for collective learning through shared reflection on action
• Encourages reflection on own practice, values and beliefs
• Uses analysis and evaluation to inform future action
• Promotes learning from the experiences of communities locally, nationally and globally.
Overview of the Community Development National
Occupational Standards
There are twenty-five standards which are organised into seven Key Areas. Key Area One is core to all
Community Development practice and underpins all the others.
Each Key Area contains the knowledge and understanding necessary in order to carry out the performance
statements described in the standards contained within it. Each standard ends with five examples of
Community Development values in practice that illustrate how Community Development practitioners may
reflect each of the five key values in their practice. These are only examples and Community Development
practitioners will be able to identify others to reflect their particular situation.
Use of the Community Development National Occupational Standards
Key Area One (Core): Understand and Practise Community Development has been designed as the core or
underpinning standard and applies to all Community Development practice in all roles, settings and levels.
People who describe themselves as Community Development practitioners need to be able to articulate their
understanding of Community Development as a process and an activity which “aims to bring about change
founded on social justice, equality and inclusion”.
Key Area One (Core) is applicable to all practitioners who undertake Community Development – whether as
unpaid activity within their community, paid Community Development workers/officers, or other professionals
who are adopting a community development approach. Key Area One is core, and is essential in its entirety
for all Community Development practice across all levels, roles, and settings.
The standards provide the skills and knowledge set required by a Community Development practitioner
working with different communities and groups. Any Community Development practitioner would be expected
to be able to undertake work in each of the Key Areas One - Six, customising the details to their particular
role.
National Occupational Standards Community Development
9
Back to contents page
Introduction
Someone managing Community Development practice would be expected to undertake all of Key Area
One and Key Area Seven as a minimum. Thus in addition to Key Area One any Community Development
practitioner would need to meet the requirements of several other Key Areas/standards depending on the
role, level and setting involved.
There are two diagrams following the list of standards below:
• The Community Development National Occupational Standards Overview (Diagram 1) shows how
the five key values and Key Area One (Core) underpin Key Areas Two - Six
• The Community Development National Occupational Standards Summary (Diagram 2) show all 25
standards grouped into the Seven Key Areas.
The Community Development Standards Overview
Diagram 1
Key Area Two:
Understand and Engage
with Communities
Equality and
Anti-discrimination
rea One (Co
yA
re
Ke
evelopmen
yD
t
t
i
n
VALUES
ractice Comm
P
u
nd
Key Area Seven:
Manage and Develop
Community Development
Practice
Social Justice
Collective Action
Commumity Empowerment
Working and Learning
Together
derstanding
Un
a
):
Key Area Six:
Provide Community
Development Support
to Organisations
Key Area Five:
Support Community
Learning from Shared
Experiences
10
National Occupational Standards Community Development
Key Area Three:
Take a Community
Development Approach
to Group Work and
Collective Action
Key Area Four:
Promote and Support a
Community Development
Approach to Collaborate
and Cross-sectoral
Working
Back to contents page
Introduction
The Community Development Standards Summary
Diagram 2
S1 Integrate and use the values and process of
Community Development
S2 Work with the tensions inherent in
Community Development practice
S3 Relate to different communities
S4 Demonstrate competence and integrity
as a Community Development practitioner
S5 Maintain Community Development practice
within own organisation
S24 Supervise Community
Development practitioners
S25 Manage internal
organisational development
and external relationships to
support effective Community
Development practice.
S19 Advise on organisational
structures using Community
Development perspectives
S20 Plan and gain resources
and funding for sustainability
through Community
Development practice
S21 Strengthen groups using
Community Development
approaches and practice
S22 Set up new projects
and partnerships using
Community Development
approaches and practice
S23 Use a Community
Development approach to
monitoring and evaluation
S6 Get to know a community
S7 Facilitate community research
and consultations
S8 Analyse and disseminate findings
from community research
Key Area One (Core):
Understand and
Practice Community
Development
Key Area Seven:
Manage and Develop
Community
Development Practice
Key Area Three:
VALUES
Key Area Six:
Provide Community
Development Support
to Organisations
Key Area Two:
Understand and
Engage with
Communities
Take a Community
Development Approach
to Group Work and
Collective Action
Key Area Four:
Promote and Support
a Community
Development
Key Area Five:
Approach to
Support Community
Collaborative and
Learning from Shared
Cross-sectoral
Experiences
Working
S17 Promote and develop
opportunities of learning from
Community Development practice
S18 Facilitate community learning for
social and political development
S9 Support inclusive and
collective working through
Community Development
practice
S10 Organise community
events
and activities
S11 Respond to
community conflict
S12 Support communities
to campaign for change
S13 Promote and support effective
relationships between communities
and public bodies
S14 Encourage and support public
bodies to build effective relationships
with communities
S15 Use a Community Development
approach to support collaborative and
partnership work
S16 Apply a Community Development
approach to strategically co-ordinate
networks and partnerships
National Occupational Standards Community Development
11
Back to contents page
Introduction
List of Standards
Key Area One (Core): Understand and Practise Community Development
S1
Integrate and use the values and process of Community Development
S2
Work with the tensions inherent in Community Development practice
S3
Relate to different communities
S4
Demonstrate competence and integrity as a Community Development practitioner
S5
Maintain Community Development practice within own organisation
Key Area Two: Understand and Engage with Communities
S6
Get to know a community
S7
Facilitate community research and consultations
S8
Analyse and disseminate findings from community research
Key Area Three: Take a Community Development Approach to Group
Work and Collective Action
S9
Support inclusive and collective working through Community Development practice
S10
Organise community events and activities
S11
Respond to community conflict
S12
Support communities to campaign for change
Key Area Four: Promote and Support a Community Development
Approach to Collaborative and Cross-sectoral Working
S13
Promote and support effective relationships between communities and public bodies
S14
Encourage and support public bodies to build effective relationships with communities
S15
Use a Community Development approach to support collaborative and partnership work
S16
Apply a Community Development approach to strategically co-ordinate networks and partnerships
Key Area Five: Support Community Learning from Shared Experiences
12
S17
Promote and develop opportunities of learning from Community Development practice
S18
Facilitate community learning for social and political development
National Occupational Standards Community Development
Back to contents page
Introduction
Key Area Six: Provide Community Development Support to Organisations
S19
Advise on organisational structures using Community Development perspectives
S20
Plan and gain resources and funding for sustainability through Community Development practice
S21
Strengthen groups using Community Development approaches and practice
S22
Set up new projects and partnerships using Community Development approaches and practice
S23
Use a Community Development approach to monitoring and evaluation
Key Area Seven: Manage and Develop Community Development Practice
S24
Supervise Community Development practitioners
S25Manage internal organisational development and external relationships to support effective
Community Development practice.
National Occupational Standards Community Development
13
Back to contents page
Introduction
Community Development Practice: Glossary of Terms
ACTIVE CITIZEN
Active citizen identifies the role of the individual as a responsible member of society, taking part in local
democratic processes and in activities that benefit others.
ACTION-REFLECTION CYCLE OF LEARNING
Community Development practitioners consistently reflect on their working practice against the underpinning
values of Community Development.
This is an approach to continual learning and development where there is a clear link between action,
reflection and change. In the activity-reflection model there are different areas of action to the cycle of
reflection for Community Development practice:
• Get to know a community, key people and organisations
• Help communities to identify and prioritise their needs
• Support collective approaches to bringing about change
• Support sharing and learning from experience
• Support the strengthening of groups
• Support evaluation and reflection on practice for groups and self.
ACCOUNTABILITY
The recognition that we have a responsibility to fully inform and take advice from those on whose behalf we
take action or make decisions. This includes the accountability of publicly funded organisations / statutory
bodies to communities.
ADVOCACY
Enabling others to have a voice and get their views across. It is about ways in which power relationships can
be shared and rigid systems challenged.
ALLIANCES
Alliances usually have a common purpose, and particular objectives. They bring allies together, but have little
in the way of formal or informal contractual arrangements between participants.
ANTI-DISCRIMINATORY PRACTICE
Working in a way that actively removes barriers preventing people or groups from engaging in community
activity. It involves practice that promotes diversity and challenges stereotyping, injustice and power
imbalances.
14
National Occupational Standards Community Development
Back to contents page
Introduction
AUTONOMOUS COMMUNITY GROUPS
An autonomous community group is run by its members for the benefit of its members and determines its
own future. Autonomous community groups make their own decisions and are not controlled by or dependent
on outside bodies.
BUSINESS PLAN
A development plan, which will usually cover a period of 3 or more years including timescales, funding,
resources and the aims and objectives for an organisation’s work and development. The items to be included
depend on the purpose for which the plan is to be used. Business plans are often required by funding bodies.
CAPACITY BUILDING
Development work that strengthens the ability of community organisations to build their structures, systems,
people and skills. It can include aspects of training, organisational and personal development and resource
building2.
‘Give a woman a fish, feed her for the day, and teach her how to fish, feed her and the community for a
lifetime’.
COLLECTIVE ACTION
Working together with others to achieve a common aim.
COMMUNITY
The web of personal relationships, group networks, traditions and patterns of behaviour that develops among
those who share either the same physical neighbourhood and its socio-economic situation, or common
understandings and goals around a shared interest or to address common issues. This can relate to
communities of geography, identity or interest.
COMMUNITY PROFILE
Using participatory approaches to build an accurate understanding of the community in order inform actions,
strategies or policies. This includes building a picture of the composition, strengths and needs as defined
by different parts of the community. Relationships between different parts of a community are also included.
Outcomes of community profiles should be negotiated with and owned by the community involved.
COMMUNITY ACTION
Community-based campaigns and networks concentrating on issues of concern to that community. Methods
can range from the presentation of a petition to a local councillor to non-violent demonstrations, such as
those held by some Community Development projects of the 1970’s, the public demonstrations against
deportations or in support of the miners, and the camps set up in 1993 to save the pits.
2
Building Community Strengths
National Occupational Standards Community Development
15
Back to contents page
Introduction
COMMUNITY ACTIVISTS
People who are active on an unpaid / voluntary basis in the development of their communities.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
A long term value based process which aims to address the imbalances of power and bring about change
founded on social justice, equality and inclusion. The process enables people to organise and work together
to:
• Identify their own needs and aspirations
• Take action to exert influence on the decisions which affect their lives
• Improve the quality of their own lives, the communities in which they live and societies of which they
are a part.3
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT GROUP-WORK MODEL
Collective action is essential to this approach to group-work. The process involves work at individual and
group levels. It seeks to bring together people who can be disadvantaged or excluded in order to reflect on
their individual and common experiences and needs. This reflection is then used to identify common goals,
priorities, and actions.4
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT LEARNING
Takes place when individuals and groups/organisations come together to share experience, learn from each
other, and develop their skills, knowledge and self-confidence. It is a developmental process that is both a
collective and individual experience, based on a commitment to equal partnership between all those involved
to enable a sharing of skills, awareness, knowledge, and experience in order to bring about sustainable
desired outcomes.’5
COMMUNITY ENTERPRISE
Combines community-led action with business activities aimed at economic development and social gain.
Community enterprises have explicit social aims and are accountable to their communities. They are
independent but work in partnership with others.
COMMUNITY COUNCIL
Locally-based charities or voluntary groups that have an interest in the well-being of their community. They
consult the local community and make known to public bodies the views of local people on all matters
affecting them. Local authorities have a duty to consult community councils on how local services are
delivered and other issues affecting their neighbourhoods. Community councils are arranged according to
issues in local areas. For example, local community health councils and rural community councils.’6
3
4
5
6
16
Community Development National Occupational Standards 2009
Working in the Community: Perspectives for Change 2005
Source: Federation for Community Development Learning www.fcdl.org.uk
Source: Society Guardian Glossary
National Occupational Standards Community Development
Back to contents page
Introduction
COMMUNITY GROUPS AND ORGANISATIONS
Located within communities of geography, identity or interest. They are controlled by their users and are
usually small and informal with no paid staff. They are often referred to collectively as the community sector.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
The involvement of community members in projects and programmes aimed at providing public benefit.
Community involvement often starts with agendas and programmes that originate outside the community.
COMMUNITY REGENERATION
Renewing communities by responding to the needs expressed by their members, and by ensuring they are
involved as equal partners in any funding or improvement initiatives. Community regeneration recognises
that, as stakeholders in regeneration, communities have the strongest interest and commitment to the longterm future.
COMMUNITY SECTOR
Involves community members organising autonomously for the benefit of the community. They can be
organised as community groups, networks or alliances.
COMMUNITY WORK
A process whereby community members, in particular those who are marginalized, excluded or oppressed,
gain the skills, knowledge and the confidence to tackle the sources of their problems and bring about
community defined social changes.
COMMUNITY WORKER
A paid or unpaid person who works as a partner with others in a co-operative community activity. A
community worker must be skilled in acting as an enabler, a facilitator, a catalyst for action, an energiser.
She/he must be able to bring information, support and advice to people so that they can make their choices
about what they want to do. 7
CONSULTATION
Seeking the views of individuals and organisations in order to gauge opinion, and, in some instances,
involvement with, a particular issue.
An agency commissioning the consultation may seek to involve the parties more or less actively, depending
on the intended purpose.
A community consultation model would involve members of the ‘consultee’ groups or communities in a
determining role throughout the process including the putting together conclusions and recommendations.
7
Neil McLellan and Christine Flecknoe , Community Matters 1995
National Occupational Standards Community Development
17
Back to contents page
Introduction
CONTRACT
A contract is a legally enforceable agreement between two or more parties, e.g. a local authority (service
purchaser) and a community organisation (service provider). There is a contractual agreement in which the
“service provider” promises to fulfill the contract. Service purchasers tend to closely monitor contracts to
ensure the service provider is delivering a good service - what is called “value for money”.
Under this arrangement the community organisation has to cost the service it is to provide (e.g. staffing,
running costs, premises, transport etc.), before it agrees to take on the contract. Monitoring the service they
provide once it has started is important as it can provide evidence to demonstrate to the service purchaser
that the contract should be renewed, perhaps with changes, given the experience so far.
CREDIT UNION
A financial cooperative, which is owned and controlled by its members. Usually based in local areas,
members make regular contributions to the credit union, which is then able to make very cheap, small-scale
loans to other members - usually for ethically sound, or sustainable projects.
DISABILITY
Within the social model of Disability, used by the British Council of Disabled People (BCODP) and other
user-controlled organisations, Disability means the disadvantage or restriction of activity caused by a
contemporary social organisation which takes little or no account of people who have impairments and thus
excludes them from the mainstream of social activities.
Disability is therefore a particular form of social oppression and focuses on the barriers (attitudinal,
environmental and organisational) which prevent Disabled people from having equality of opportunity in
employment, education, housing, transport and leisure etc. It is Disabled people’s own re-definition of their
social situation, which has brought about a struggle for ideas which lies at the heart of disability politics.8
The Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) of 1995 uses a medical model of disability and defines a Disabled
person as someone who has a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long-term adverse
effect on her or his ability to carry out day-to-day activities.9
EXPERIENCE BASED LEARNING
Knowledge, skills and understanding acquired from doing something or having been involved in something.
EMPOWERMENT
Ways in which knowledge, skills, resources, and power can be gained by people, including those previously
on the margin of a community or an organisation, so that they feel confident to make decisions and be able
to take control of their own situation.
8
9
18
The British Council of Disabled People (BCODP) www.bcodp.org.uk
Disability Discrimination Act 1995
National Occupational Standards Community Development
Back to contents page
Introduction
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE
Quality of life for all – everyone should have a safe and healthy place to live, work and play.
Enough for us – and the future – we need to make sure there are enough resources for all of us and future
generations.10
EXIT STRATEGY
Is often related to funding that come to an end, but can also be related to the withdrawal processes of
group members, workers or services from community groups. What will your organisation do next, after the
funding for the project has run out? Will you seek funding from another source? If so, when will you begin the
process? Funders often ask for an exit strategy as a condition of grant aid. 11
EVALUATION
An overall assessment of the achievements, effectiveness and impact of work carried out. Participative
evaluation provides an opportunity for the collective analysis and assessment of outcomes and outputs
against desired outcomes and needs.
GOOD RELATIONS
The growing relationships and structures for Northern Ireland that acknowledge the religious, political and
racial context of this society. Seeks to promote respect, equity and trust while embracing diversity in all its
forms.
MAINSTREAMING
The process of transferring policy, good practice or activity from a community or special programmes into the
core of public sector practice or provision.12
MILESTONE
Is often related to a stage of achievement within a funding programme. Funders will often ask for an
indication of milestones as a condition of grant aid e.g. Barchester Play Organisation indicate that six months
into their grant programme they will have employed a part-time worker and publicised their new library
project in a number of community languages. However, milestones can also be understood as to be stages
of achieving objectives set by community groups.
MONITORING
The systematic collection and recording of information to help an organisation know how it is doing; it helps
to account for the work of the organisation. Provides regular feedback on the outputs of an organisation but
cannot assess the quality of outputs or outcomes.
10 Friends of the Earth www.foe.co.uk
11 Pocket Oxford Dictionary Clarendon Press 1984.
12 The Revision of Area Based Initiatives by the Regional Co-ordination Unit
National Occupational Standards Community Development
19
Back to contents page
Introduction
NATIONAL OCCUPATIONAL STANDARDS
National Occupational Standards (NOS) describe what a person needs to do, know and understand in
their job, in order to carry out their role in a consistent and competent way. In essence, they inform ‘good
practice’ by bringing together skills, knowledge and values. Lifelong Learning UK has worked in consultation
with a wide range of employers, partner organisations, and stakeholders to develop National Occupational
Standards within the Lifelong Learning sector. This ensures they are relevant and fit for purpose.
NEIGHBOURHOOD WORK
Within a community development approach this involves work with neighbourhood organisations, or groups
of local people who meet together as peers, to try and solve their own problems or those of the locality,
particularly those of a social, environmental or economic nature. 13
NETWORK
A loose, semi-informal collection of individuals or groups who are in direct or indirect communication with
each other. They often operate as horizontal channels of communication within communities.14
NETWORKING
The process, by which relationships and contacts between people or organisations are established, nurtured
and utilised for mutual benefit’.
Alison Gilchrist, ‘Community Development and Networking’ CDF and SCCD Briefing Paper No7 1995.
OUTCOME FUNDING
Funding which looks to provide funding to an organisation in return for previously agreed benefits for a target
group or community.
PARTICIPATION
The process by which users become partners in contributing to, and sharing in, decisions affecting the lives
of the users’ groups they represent. There is a distinction between user and community participation.
User Participation involves working with individuals to enable them to make their own decisions.
Community Participation involves groups of people representing the community having a voice in the
decision making processes that affect them.
PARTNERSHIP
Relationship between two or more people or organisations that are involved in the same activity or working
together in the same project for mutual benefit. Partnerships that are part of public sector arrangements can
include members from individuals, community and voluntary organisations and statutory agencies.
13 Alan Twelvetrees 2001
14 Alison Gilchrist 2004
20
National Occupational Standards Community Development
Back to contents page
Introduction
PARTNERSHIP WORKING
This usually involves some kind of contractual arrangement between participants operating within a formal,
or semi-formal, framework in which roles and responsibilities are identified and agreed.
POLICY
A policy provides guidance, a framework, or set of principles that determine a consistent approach to
decisions, actions, and other matters.
POLITICAL LITERACY
Individual and group questioning of cultural, social, economic and political norms that maintain inequalities
and oppressions. Through the active use of reflection, visioning, planning, and action the process of political
literacy enables people to individually and collectively make connections with the wider world. It is a continual
process of developing critical understandings of the connections between social, economic and political
issues.
REFLECTIVE PRACTICE
Individual and collective learning through reflection on practice. This leads to changing practice in
response to outcomes and also involves recognising the constraints and contexts within which community
development takes place.
REGENERATION
Area-based development usually taking place on a time limited basis.
SECTARIANISM
Sectarianism is a historical and cultural phenomenon arising out of religious and political differences,
which are then perpetuated by group and self interest. It not just a matter of economic, social or political
consideration, nor is it simply a question of personal attitude or behaviour. 15
SERVICE LEVEL AGREEMENT
Service level agreements are contracts between an organisation or agency buying a service and another
body, including community and voluntary sector organisations providing the service. For example, a local
authority will set out in detail the service it requires and a voluntary sector community organisation/ project
will agree to provide the service.
The agreements are usually reviewed annually and tend to last for a period of three years. This gives the
community organisation a sufficient period of time to recruit staff, give them job security, develop the service
and monitor its effectiveness.
15 Northern Ireland Community Relations Council www.nicrc.org.uk
National Occupational Standards Community Development
21
Back to contents page
Introduction
SOCIAL ENTERPRISE
Organisations that trade in goods and services for a social purpose. Profit made is reinvested in the work of
the organisation.
STAKEHOLDER
A person or organisation with interest in and/or some influence over another group this may include
community members, service users, volunteers, funders or key individuals
STATUTORY SECTOR
The group of agencies which includes government departments, local authorities and quangos set up by
statute to provide a particular service.
STRATEGY
A long-term approach to planning and carrying out action. Community Development strategies are developed
through inclusive and participatory practices. These are based on community defined and shared visions
aimed at achieving improved outcomes for the community involved. Strategies are not static but evolve in
response to changing needs.
SUPERVISION
Provision of support, guidance, reassurance and feedback within a community development framework.
Providing supervision that allows time to reflect on the work being done, the freedom to learn from
experiences, good and bad, supporting Community Development practitioners to negotiate and implement
agreements on their role, responsibilities and practice.
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to
meet their own needs.16
VALUE BASE OF COMMUNITY WORK
There are principles and ethics underpinning Community Development practice:
• Equality and Anti-discrimination
• Social Justice
• Collective Action
• Community Empowerment
• Working and Learning Together
16 Brundtland Report World Commission on Environment and Development
22
National Occupational Standards Community Development
Back to contents page
Introduction
VOLUNTARY SECTOR
The collective name for organisations which carry out beneficial public services, non- profit making, and not
public or local authorities.
Decision, planning and policy making is led by an elected committee or body. This can be made up of people
from the community, voluntary and public sectors as well as individual community members. They are often
formally registered as charities, have paid staff and aim to provide or respond to particular need.
WORK WITH COMMUNITIES
Supporting people and groups to organise and achieve their goals in a way which values diversity, ensures
participation and encourages collaboration in a broad social context. Goals are self-determined and varied,
e.g. articulation of needs, provision of new community resources, replacement or rehabilitation of physical
living conditions, improvement of services, access to jobs and training. (This may also involve working
across and between communities at local district, sub-regional, regional or national levels).
WORK WITHIN COMMUNITIES
Active involvement as a member of local community group (s) and/or community (ies) of interest and direct
contribution to the self-determination of their goals through engagement in participative processes which
value inclusion, diversity and collective action.
Bibliography search:
• Glossary: Community Development Work National Occupational Standards - 2002
• Community Work Skills Manual 2001- Association of Community Workers
• Working in the Community: Perspectives for Change - Rod Purcell, 2005
• What in the World? Global Lessons, Inspirations and Experiences in Community Development - by
the International Association for Community Development
• British Council of Disabled People website (www.bcodp.org.uk)
• Northern Ireland Community Relations Council website (www.nicrc.org.uk)
• Community Development Exchange website (www.cdx.org.uk)
• Equality Commission for Northern Ireland (www.equalityni.org)
National Occupational Standards Community Development
23
Back to contents page
KA1
Understand and Practise
Community Development
Key Area One (Core):
Understand and Practise Community Development
The definition of Community Development is expressed in the following key purpose:
Community Development is a long-term value based process which aims to address imbalances in power
and bring about change founded on social justice, equality and inclusion. The process enables people to
organise and work together to:
• Identify their own needs and aspirations
• Take action to exert influence on the decisions which affect their lives
• Improve the quality of their own lives, the communities in which they live, and societies of which they
are a part.
Key Area One (Core) has been designed as the core or underpinning Key Area and applies to all Community
Development practice in all roles and settings and at all levels. People who describe themselves as
Community Development practitioners and/or manage Community Development practitioners need to be
able to articulate their understanding of Community Development as a process and an activity which ‘aims to
bring about change founded on social justice, equality and inclusion’.
The Community Development process is underpinned by a set of five key values on which all practice is
based. Community Development practitioners need to relate these values to their roles and actions. There
are many tensions inherent in putting the ideals and values into practice within the realities and complexities
of communities. Community Development practitioners need to become competent in the necessary skills
and knowledge and to work with integrity to support communities who may have few recognised resources
and limited access to decision-makers.
Key Area One (Core) applies to all practitioners who undertake and/or manage Community Development –
whether as unpaid activity within their community, paid Community Development workers/officers, or other
professionals who adopt a Community Development approach.
Key Area One (Core) contains the definition of Community Development practice (as above), five Key Values
and five standards. Together these constituent parts form an integral whole that underpins all Community
Development practice. It is not appropriate to use any part in isolation as they are all interdependent on each
other.
The five key values which underpin all Community Development practice are below.
24
National Occupational Standards Community Development
Back to contents page
Understand and Practise Community Development | KA1
The Key Values that Underpin all Community Development Practice
Equality and Anti-discrimination
Community Development practice challenges structural inequalities and discriminatory practices. Community
Development recognises that people are not the same, but they are all of equal worth and importance and
therefore entitled to the same degree of respect and acknowledgement.
Community Development practitioners will work with communities and organisations to challenge the
oppression and exclusion of individuals and groups. This will be undertaken in a way which:
• Acknowledges where there is inequality and discrimination, and rejects and challenges any form of it
• Supports and develops anti-oppressive policies and practices
• Respects, values, supports and promotes the value of difference and diversity
• Promotes and supports diverse communities to agree on their common concerns and interests
• Acknowledges the diverse nature of society and seeks to understand and support others to
understand the nature of social diversity and oppression with respect to marginalised communities
and minorities.
Social Justice
The aim of increasing social justice is an essential element of Community Development practice. It involves
identifying and seeking to alleviate structural disadvantage and advocating strategies for overcoming
exclusion, discrimination and inequality.
Community Development practitioners will work with communities and organisations to achieve change and
the long-term goal of a more equal, non-sectarian society. This will be undertaken in a way which:
• Recognises that social justice incorporates environmental, political, cultural and economic justice
• Recognises and challenges inequalities and power differences
• Values diversity of experience
• Promotes human and civil rights and responsibilities
• Promotes a sustainable environment
• Challenges the underlying causes, and effects, of structural power imbalances
• Makes the link between local, societal and global contexts.
Collective Action
Community Development practice is essentially about working with and supporting groups of people, to
increase their knowledge, skills and confidence so they can develop an analysis and identify issues which
can be addressed through collective action.
Community Development practitioners will work with communities to organise, influence and take action.
National Occupational Standards Community Development
25
Back to contents page
KA1 | Understand and Practise Community Development
This will be undertaken in a way which:
• Promotes the active participation of people within communities
• Supports the rights of communities to organise, access support and take action
• Respects the rights of others when planning collective action
• Empowers communities to recognise and acknowledge their existing skills, knowledge and expertise
and how these may be used to achieve their goals
• Uses the power of the collective voice and of collective action
• Recognises the wealth of creative and positive resources present within communities.
Community Empowerment
Community Development practice aims to empower individuals and communities, through using the
strengths of the community to bring about desired changes. It involves supporting people to become
critical, creative, liberated and active participants, enabling them to take more control over their lives,
their communities and their environment. This process is based on mutual respect and equal and genuine
partnerships between all those involved.
Community Development practitioners will work with communities and organisations and encourage them to
work together. This will be undertaken in a way which:
• Promotes the rights of communities to define themselves, their priorities and agendas for action
• Encourages an understanding and commitment to the long term nature of Community Development
practice
• Promotes the rights of communities to be consulted, involved in, and to influence decision making
that affects their lives
• Promotes accountability and transparency
• Promotes co-operation as a means of connecting and strengthening communities
• Uses research to support communities in determining needs as a basis for influencing.
Working and Learning Together
Community Development practice promotes a collective process which enables participants to learn from
reflecting on their experiences: for example, evaluating how well they had identified the needs, to what extent
particular activities helped them to achieve their aims, and what they could have done differently. Community
Development learning is based on participatory and experiential processes with the aim of improving future
Community Development practice. Community Development learning and Community Development practice
are inseparable. The practice informs the learning in an ongoing cycle.
Community Development practitioners will support individuals and communities working and learning
together. This will be undertaken in a way which:
26
National Occupational Standards Community Development
Back to contents page
Understand and Practise Community Development | KA1
• Recognises, shares and values skills, knowledge and experience
• Promotes empowerment through building on existing knowledge and skills
• Creates opportunities for collective learning through shared reflection on action
• Encourages reflection on own practice, values and beliefs
• Uses analysis and evaluation to inform future action
• Promotes learning from the experiences of communities locally, nationally and globally.
KA1: Key Area One (Core)
Knowledge and Understanding Statements
The following knowledge and understanding statements (KA) relate to the five standards (S) within Key
Area One (Core). It is not necessarily the case that every Key Area One (Core) knowledge statement (KA1)
relates to every standard, but it is likely that a knowledge statement relates to more than one standard.
What Community Development practitioners must know and understand
Community Development values and processes
KA1.1
The values on which Community Development is based
KA1.2Historical and contextual knowledge of national and local Community Development and the aspects
and approaches of Community Development
KA1.3How the process of Community Development facilitates people and groups to come together
around common issues and supports them in the actions they decide to take
KA1.4The role of Community Development in widening people’s horizons, promoting their participation,
and encouraging critical and creative responses to their collective situation
KA1.5The importance and value of the autonomy and independence of community groups and
communities of interest
KA1.6
The Community Development National Occupational Standards
KA1.7
The range of and existing links between contacts in an area or neighbourhood.
National Occupational Standards Community Development
27
Back to contents page
KA1 | Understand and Practise Community Development
Communities as a concept
KA1.8
The range of definitions of the concept ‘community’
KA1.9The different kinds of communities that exist – based on place or neighbourhood, communities of
interest and identity
KA1.10The historical and changing context of the communities the Community Development practitioner
works with or relates to (e.g. social, political, environmental, cultural and economic)
KA1.11The factors which can affect the dynamics of diverse and cohesive communities
KA1.12What motivates people becoming involved in their communities and the barriers that can prevent
people becoming involved.
Power, inequality and justice issues
KA1.13Theoretical approaches to forms of injustice, discrimination and social exclusion which operate
globally, nationally and locally
KA1.14How inequality and injustice impact on the lives of individuals and communities
KA1.15Theoretical approaches to power and powerlessness within society
KA1.16How structures and organisations create and maintain their power and the impact of this on
individuals, communities and Community Development practitioners
KA1.17The concepts of community empowerment and community engagement and how Community
Development contributes to their successful implementation
KA1.18 How the history and impact of oppression and discrimination affect working relationships
KA1.19How beliefs, values and prejudices towards different cultures, traditions and backgrounds can
affect working relationships
KA1.20How the links between environmental, economic and social inequalities can affect people at local,
national and international levels.
Decision making
KA1.21 Democratic decision-making processes and participatory practices/techniques.
Community Development’s relevance to organisations
KA1.22How to monitor and evaluate Community Development’s contribution to government and
organisational policies and relevant targets
28
National Occupational Standards Community Development
Back to contents page
Understand and Practise Community Development | KA1
KA1.23The importance of, and methods for, raising the profile, relevance and effectiveness of Community
Development within organisations and public bodies
KA1.24The range of policies that may impact on communities.
Reflective practice
KA1.25 The concept of reflective practice based on the values of Community.
Development
KA1.26 The significance of divided or conflicting loyalties and how this can affect working relationships
KA1.27The implications for communities of different forms of interventions made by voluntary
organisations and statutory bodies
KA1.28How individual reflections contribute to collective processes of reflection and analysis
KA1.29 Understanding how one’s own values and beliefs can affect practice and relationships.
The Standards (S) in Key Area One (Core) are:
S1
Integrate and use the values and process of Community Development
S2
Work with the tensions inherent in Community Development practice
S3
Relate to different communities
S4
Demonstrate competence and integrity as a Community Development practitioner
S5
Maintain Community Development practice within own organisation.
National Occupational Standards Community Development
29
Back to contents page
KA1 | Understand and Practise Community Development
Standard One:
Integrate and use the values and process of Community
This standard is concerned with the values and process of Community Development and how these inform
the role of a Community Development practitioner within a variety of settings. It is about the Community
Development practitioner’s role to interpret and explain the process and values of Community Development
to others, set out what is distinctive about the nature of Community Development and encourage people,
groups and agencies to recognise the contribution Community Development makes in the process of
change.
This standard is relevant to all those involved in Community Development. This standard is within Key Area
One (Core) and the knowledge and understanding statements that relate to this standard are included in the
KA1 knowledge section above.
What Community Development practitioners need to be able to do
S1.1Explain confidently the values and process of Community Development and demonstrate how they
inform good Community Development practice
S1.2Understand and apply the process of Community Development to their role and areas of
responsibility
S1.3Promote the values of Community Development to individuals, communities and organisations
S1.4Explain the contribution that Community Development can make to current local and national
government policies and initiatives
S1.5Educate and support people in the organisation(s) they work with/within and other partners to
acknowledge and value the perspectives, aims and autonomy of communities, community groups
and networks
S1.6Promote the value of collective working in deciding on the changes needed in communities, and in
working towards achieving them
S1.7Work with/within communities to identify and explain the potential for collective action that is
inclusive and empowering
S1.8Ensure that all collaborative work is based on the values of Community Development
S1.9Support communities to make the links between social justice and environmental justice, and to
consider the environmental impact of all activities
S1.10Promote and encourage the educative and developmental aspect of Community Development
30
National Occupational Standards Community Development
Back to contents page
Understand and Practise Community Development | KA1
S1.11Enable community groups and communities to evaluate the impact of Community Development
practice (including both the role of community groups and the community development practitioner)
on changes in the area
S1.12Understand, and enable others to understand, the links between national and regional policies and
other factors, and their impact on local communities.
Examples in Standard One of Community Development values in practice
The following examples correspond to the key values described at the beginning of Key Area One (Core):
Equality and Anti-discrimination, Social Justice, Collective Action, Community Empowerment and Working
and Learning Together.
V1Practices that contribute to inequalities are identified and challenged whenever and wherever they
arise
V2The role of Community Development in contributing to a more equal society, and civil and human
rights, is recognised
V3Collective action and participation are actively promoted as effective ways to bring about change,
and undertaken on the basis of equality
V4All planned interventions and activities within communities address the issues identified by
community members and aim to realise their aspirations
V5Reflection on experiences is an integral part of all activity and informs future actions.
National Occupational Standards Community Development
31
Back to contents page
KA1 | Understand and Practise Community Development
Standard Two:
Work with the tensions inherent in Community
Development practice
This standard concerns the tensions, and sometimes contradictions, that arise from the different agendas
and interests of the agencies and organisations involved with communities, and the different interests of
members of diverse communities. The expectations of employers and the community groups and activists
they are working with may vary and the practitioners can easily be caught between these implicit or explicit
demands or pressures. Community leaders and representatives may find themselves on the receiving end of
different expectations from different sections of their community. Community Development itself promotes a
process which aims to support community empowerment, and the community having a voice and being able
to influence decisions that affect their lives.
This standard is relevant to all Community Development practitioners. This standard is within Key Area One
(Core) and the knowledge and understanding statements that relate to this standard are included in the KA1
knowledge section above.
What Community Development practitioners need to be able to do
S2.1Evaluate their own values, beliefs and approach to their practice against the values of Community
Development
S2.2Clearly acknowledge the perspectives they bring to any situation
S2.3Recognise the potential tensions between their perspectives and those held by the communities
they engage with and individuals in those communities
S2.4Maintain the right of communities and groups to set their own agendas
S2.5Respect the rights of other individuals and communities when planning and taking action
S2.6Identify ways to handle any conflicts of interest that arise
S2.7Recognise that their primary accountability is to the community(ies) they are working with but
acknowledge the need for a level of accountability to their employer or organisation, the wider
community, their colleagues, funders and the law
S2.8Identify actual and potential contradictions between Community Development values and day-today practice, and explore effective ways of resolving these
S2.9
Work with diverse groups within communities who may be in conflict or competition with each other
S2.10Identify and evaluate potential obstacles to, and opportunities for, collective action and decide how
to deal with these
32
National Occupational Standards Community Development
Back to contents page
Understand and Practise Community Development | KA1
S2.11Recognise the potential impact of local politics on the communities Community Development
practitioners work with and how political decisions can be influenced and challenged
S2.12Analyse and explain the various approaches adopted by voluntary and community sector
organisations and statutory agencies to working with communities and how they may differ from a
Community Development approach
S2.13Support community groups and communities to recognise and deal positively with tensions and
conflicts of interest.
Examples in Standard Two of Community Development values in practice
The following examples correspond to the key values described at the beginning of Key Area One (Core):
Equality and Anti-discrimination, Social Justice, Collective Action, Community Empowerment and Working
and Learning Together.
V1
Power imbalances are acknowledged and addressed
V2There is recognition of the tensions created by the environmental, economic and social traditions,
circumstances and histories of communities
V3In the process of agreeing collective action, tensions and contradictions are acknowledged and
dealt with
V4There is recognition that different communities are both independent and interdependent
V5The difficulties in balancing the different accountabilities are regularly discussed and
acknowledged.
National Occupational Standards Community Development
33
Back to contents page
KA1 | Understand and Practise Community Development
Standard Three:
Relate to different communities
This standard is about recognising that communities are diverse and complex. It is important that Community
Development practitioners work with the whole range of different individuals and groups within a community.
This requires different approaches with different communities and the recognition of current and past
relationships and realities of different communities. Community Development practitioners need to establish
how they are going to work with these groups and how they will offer support to enable groups from different
communities to work with each other.
This standard is relevant to all Community Development practitioners. This standard is within Key Area One
(Core) and the knowledge and understanding statements that relate to this standard are included in the KA1
knowledge section above.
What Community Development practitioners need to be able to do
S3.1Analyse the nature and compositions of the communities that they are or could be involved with,
and be aware of external social, environmental, economic or other developments that may have an
impact
S3.2Inform themselves of the realities experienced by the communities with whom they work and build
relationships framed by these realities
S3.3Recognise power inequalities within and between communities and seek to address them
S3.4Keep up to date with the changes within communities and ensure that their practice develops to
reflect these
S3.5Recognise that there are different experiences and interests within apparently homogeneous
communities and find ways to link with them
S3.6Learn from their experiences of working with a range of communities, recognising that communities
work in different ways and need different approaches
S3.7Communicate clearly and accurately the purpose, responsibilities and values of their intended
activity within a variety of groups within the community
S3.8Contribute to the development of policy and practice relevant to Community Development and the
issues faced by different communities
S3.9Proactively work to include the most excluded and marginalised communities whilst recognising
their right to choose not to engage
S3.10Identify and act, where appropriate, to encourage established, settled communities and newer
communities to work together
34
National Occupational Standards Community Development
Back to contents page
Understand and Practise Community Development | KA1
S3.11Initiate and support collaborative working relationships between people, organisations and groups
S3.12Ensure the continuing participation of diverse communities in the long-term processes required to
bring about change
S3. 13Apply Community Development approaches to the implementation of new national and local
government initiatives that affect communities.
Examples in Standard Three of Community Development
values in practice
The following examples correspond to the key values described at the beginning of Key Area One (Core):
Equality and Anti-discrimination, Social Justice, Collective Action, Community Empowerment and Working
and Learning Together.
V1Groups and communities are not described as ‘hard to reach’, as Community Development
practitioners and all organisations are responsible for reaching out to marginalised and excluded
communities who may have few resources
V2Groups keep up to date with changes in the local population and consider how best to respond to
meet newly identified needs
V3The expressed needs, interests and concerns of the different communities inform planning by
statutory bodies
V4Communities and groups have sufficient information to make decisions about when and how to
engage with other communities, groups and statutory bodies
V5The different ways of organising, and the development support and training needs of diverse
communities are acknowledged.
National Occupational Standards Community Development
35
Back to contents page
KA1 | Understand and Practise Community Development
Standard Four:
Demonstrate competence and integrity as a Community
Development practitioner
This standard concerns the way Community Development practitioners relate to others, being clear about
their role, their contribution and their boundaries. It is about reflecting on their own day-to-day practice
against the values, skills and knowledge of Community Development and seeking to improve their practice
through continuing professional development.
This standard is relevant to all Community Development practitioners. This standard is within Key Area One
(Core), and the knowledge and understanding statements that relate to this standard are included in the KA1
knowledge section above.
What Community Development practitioners need to be able to do
S4.1Ensure that their own behaviour, presentation and perspectives are consistent with maintaining
effective working relationships
S4.2Ensure that personal differences do not impact on their work with communities and groups
S4.3
Analyse how external factors may affect what they can deliver, and share this with others
S4.4
Deliver good quality practice which is based on Community Development values
S4.5Work in ways that enable and support the development of strong, autonomous community groups
and which do not encourage dependency on the practitioner
S4.6Think and critically reflect to develop plans of work that reflect community needs and priorities and
Community Development methods and values
S4.7
Promote understanding of diversity and ensure equality of opportunity in their area of responsibility
S4.8Self-appraise the strengths and weaknesses in their own practice through informal feedback from
community groups and colleagues as well as through more formal supervision and appraisal
systems
S4.9Identify training and other opportunities to develop and maintain the skills and competence required
to carry out their Community Development role
S4.10Review their role and evaluate the impact this has on their practice and their relationships with
others
S4.11Maintain their awareness of current and emerging developments and methods in Community
Development.
36
National Occupational Standards Community Development
Back to contents page
Understand and Practise Community Development | KA1
Examples in Standard Four of Community Development values in practice
The following examples correspond to the key values mentioned at the beginning of Key Area One (Core):
Equality and Anti-discrimination, Social Justice, Collective Action, Community Empowerment and Working
and Learning Together.
V1Community Development practitioners recognise the basis of their power and influence
V2Community Development practitioners are clear about their commitment to social and
environmental justice for all
V3The skills, knowledge, experience and expertise of others is acknowledged and valued
V4Community Development practitioners model the principles behind community empowerment in
their day-to-day practice
V5Community Development practitioners continually seek out ways to improve practice and increase
knowledge to meet changing needs and challenges.
National Occupational Standards Community Development
37
Back to contents page
KA1 | Understand and Practise Community Development
Standard Five:
Maintain Community Development practices within own
organisation
This standard relates to the need for all organisations involved in Community Development to integrate the
values and processes of Community Development within their own work.
This standard is relevant to all Community Development practitioners. This standard is within Key Area One
(Core) and the knowledge and understanding statements that relate to this standard are included in the KA1
knowledge section above.
What Community Development practitioners need to be able to do
S5.1Clearly explain the purpose, values and benefits of Community Development and why the values
and process are so important
S5.2Clearly articulate the relevance of Community Development processes and approaches to the work
of the organisation
S5.3Promote understanding of the concepts of respect and sensitivity when working with communities
(and others)
S5.4Provide information and support to colleagues with a remit to engage with communities on
approaches that can be adopted
S5.5Provide information on how to develop contacts and provide support within communities to ensure
that the most marginalised are reached
S5.6Provide information about the different communities within a locality
S5.7Support the development and implementation of appropriate policies and processes within an
organisation relating to effective engagement with communities
S5.8Provide opportunities through processes such as informal learning, workshops, mentoring and
shadowing, for colleagues to increase their knowledge and skills in Community Development
S5.9Identify opportunities to link communities with relevant staff officers, in ways that will benefit all
concerned
S5.10Encourage the use of National Occupational Standards in Community Development to influence
policy and practice across the work of their organisations
38
National Occupational Standards Community Development
Back to contents page
Understand and Practise Community Development | KA1
Examples in Standard Five of Community Development values in practice
The following examples correspond to the key values mentioned at the beginning of Key Area One (Core):
Equality and Anti-discrimination, Social Justice, Collective Action, Community Empowerment and Working
and Learning Together.
V1An organisation’s involvement with communities is based on Community Development values, is
inclusive and anti-discriminatory
V2
The importance of autonomous community groups is recognised and valued
V3Community Development is recognised as an important process as well as an activity, and not as a
technical fix
V4Inappropriate, non-inclusive and tokenistic approaches to community engagement and involvement
are identified and challenged
V5The skills and knowledge required to undertake effective Community Development are
acknowledged within the organisation.
National Occupational Standards Community Development
39
Back to contents page
KA2
Understand and Engage
with Communities
Key Area Two:
Understand and Engage with Communities
Key Area Two concerns the gathering of information about the communities the Community Development
practitioner engages with. This includes knowing who to contact and why, as well as the basics for
developing a community profile. It covers preparing community profiles, community research and
consultation.
Key Area Two is underpinned by the five Community Development key values of: Equality and Antidiscrimination, Social Justice, Collective Action, Community Empowerment and Working and Learning
Together.
The following knowledge and understanding statements (KA) relate to the three standards (S) within Key
Area Two. It is not necessarily the case that every Key Area Two knowledge statement (KA2) relates to every
standard, but it is likely that a knowledge statement relates to more than one standard.
KA2: Key Area Two
Knowledge and Understanding Statements
What Community Development practitioners must know and understand
The context
KA2.1
The impacts of wider social, economic and environmental changes on communities
KA2.2The diversity of communities and the impact of this on Community Development within and
between communities
KA2.3The impact of relevant legislation and policies on communities
KA2.4The role and the contribution of Community Development practitioners who work with communities
KA2.5A Community Development approach to identifying community priorities and concerns.
Making contact
KA2.6Different methods and styles of engaging with people, organisations and groups in communities,
particularly those who experience marginalisation
KA2.7The roles and functions of informal networks and inter-organisational forums in providing a wide
range of contacts that can be developed and supported to benefit communities
40
National Occupational Standards Community Development
Back to contents page
Understand and Engage with Communities | KA2
KA2.8
The importance of taking time to build relationships and foster trust and respect.
Community research and data collection
KA2.9Participatory methods and approaches for designing and implementing community research
KA2.10 How to access key sources of existing data about particular communities
KA2.11 Accepted ways of checking data for accuracy, reliability and sufficiency
KA2.12 The legal framework for data collection and handling confidential and sensitive information
KA2.13Participative and inclusive methods to encourage communities/groups to identify and express their
own needs, interests and concerns
KA2.14 Where to obtain the resources for community led approaches to profiling, consultation and research
KA2.15Techniques for collating and interpreting information which support collective decision making and
priority setting
KA2.16 Methods for recording and reviewing information.
Involving people and organisations
KA2.18How to identify possible partners and assess their potential for collaboration in community
consultations and research
KA2.19Participative planning techniques for involving people with different perspectives and support needs
KA2.20Techniques for encouraging the sensitive exploration of diversity to identify and combat
discrimination and prejudice within groups
KA2.21The skills required to undertake community research and how to support community members to
develop these skills
KA2.22Methods of feeding back consultation and research results to the wider community and relevant
agencies
KA2.23Approaches and methods to use in evaluating research or consultative processes.
The standards (S) in Key Area Two are:
S6
Get to know a community
S7
Facilitate community research and consultations
S8
Analyse and disseminate findings from community research.
The three standards in Key Area Two are component parts of a connected process.
National Occupational Standards Community Development
41
Back to contents page
KA2 | Understand and Engage with Communities
Standard Six:
Get to know a community
This standard is about making contact and initiating relationships with key people and organisations
in a locality or community of interest. It involves gathering relevant existing information and supporting
communities to generate new information, in order to better understand the needs and circumstances of
communities.
This standard is relevant to all Community Development practitioners. This standard is within Key Area
Two and the knowledge and understanding statements that relate to this standard are included in the KA2
knowledge section above.
In this standard the term ‘groups’ is used as a generic term and includes organisations and agencies.
What Community Development practitioners need to be able to do
S6.1
Use different techniques to make contact with relevant people and groups
S6.2
Clearly explain own role, areas of responsibility, and those of the organisation they represent
S6.3Collect accurate and up-to-date information on the roles and responsibilities of the people and
groups contacted
S6.4
Review and evaluate the range of contacts and identify gaps
S6.5
Actively seek contacts and links with excluded communities and marginalised groups
S6.6
Identify the range of information needed to produce a community profile
S6.7Identify community members, voluntary and statutory agencies who can provide relevant
information
S6.8
Explain the aim and purpose of the profile being undertaken
S6.9Collect and analyse a range of relevant data, which should include demographic, geographic
and economic data, and information on community assets, meeting places, groups/networks and
agencies active within the community
42
S6.10
Collect and record the perceptions of individuals and groups about their community
S6.11
Prepare a community profile
S6.12
Establish processes for periodically reviewing and revising the community profile
S6.13
Review own role and purpose in response to community need and environment.
National Occupational Standards Community Development
Back to contents page
Understand and Engage with Communities | KA2
Examples in Standard Six of Community Development values in practice
The following examples correspond to the key values described at the beginning of Key Area One (Core):
Equality and Anti-discrimination, Social Justice, Collective Action, Community Empowerment, and Working
and Learning Together.
V1
Contact with people from diverse and marginalised communities is actively pursued
V2
Environmental, political, cultural, economic and social contexts are built into community profiles
V3
Community members are involved in the gathering and interpretation of information
V4
The views of community members and groups are clearly articulated and represented
V5
Working relationships based upon respect are developed and maintained.
National Occupational Standards Community Development
43
Back to contents page
KA2 | Understand and Engage with Communities
Standard Seven:
Facilitate community research and consultations
Most Community Development practitioners will be involved in community research or consultations at some
point. This may be in supporting community groups to carry out their own consultations to determine the
concerns and/or priorities within their communities, or research into the feasibility of proposed activities. They
may be gathering the views of community members and groups for statutory agencies who are required or
choose to gather the views of communities about proposed actions or changes to the services they provide.
This standard is relevant to all Community Development practitioners. This standard is within Key Area
Two and the knowledge and understanding statements that relate to this standard are included in the KA2
knowledge section above.
What Community Development practitioners need to be able to do
S7.1Identify and support the contribution of community members to discussions about community
research and consultations
S7.2Support community groups and relevant others to identify and agree the aims, objectives and
outcomes for the research/consultation activity
S7.3Ensure inclusive and participatory methods are used for the research/consultation activity,
overcoming any identified obstacles
S7.4Agree a realistic plan of action with all relevant people, a plan which includes roles, actions,
required resources and review dates
S7.5Facilitate community members to develop skills in community based research through shadowing,
mentoring and training as and when appropriate
S7.6Support the implementation of the agreed research or consultation plan
S7.7Highlight the importance of appropriate behaviour and personal safety for community researchers
S7.8Explain the relevance and effects of data protection legislation on the process and ensure
procedures are set up for dealing with sensitive and confidential information
S7.9Ensure data is collected from a valid range of sources and checked for accuracy, reliability and
sufficiency
S7.10Encourage regular monitoring and reviewing of progress of the plan and ensure that action is taken
to complete the research/consultation.
44
National Occupational Standards Community Development
Back to contents page
Understand and Engage with Communities | KA2
Examples in Standard Seven of Community Development
values in practice
The following examples correspond to the key values described at the beginning of Key Area One (Core):
Equality and Anti-discrimination, Social Justice, Collective Action, Community Empowerment and Working
and Learning Together.
V1Differing views and opinions are acknowledged and shown equal respect within the research/
consultation
V2Community research and consultation results reflect inequalities within a community
V3Community members have collective control and ownership over community research and
consultation processes
V4The expertise and knowledge within a community is valued by all agencies
V5Research and consultation processes are monitored and reviewed and the learning is used to
inform future planning.
National Occupational Standards Community Development
45
Back to contents page
KA2 | Understand and Engage with Communities
Standard Eight:
Analyse and disseminate findings from
community research
This standard takes forward the previous one on setting up and collecting information. It concerns the
collation and use of the data, including feeding back the findings and agreed recommendations to all those
who need to know and all those who contributed.
This standard is relevant to all Community Development practitioners. This standard is within Key Area
Two and the knowledge and understanding statements that relate to this standard are included in the KA2
knowledge section above.
What Community Development practitioners need to be able to do
S8.1Work with groups to review the quality and quantity of the information gathered and identify any
gaps
S8.2
Propose ways to collate the information into understandable formats
S8.3
Support groups to accurately interpret the information that has been gathered and analysed
S8.4Support the communication of the initial findings to the wider community and all relevant agencies
for comment
S8.5
Ensure the findings are reviewed and revised in light of feedback
S8.6Encourage a variety of approaches to presenting the data clearly and accurately and in appropriate
forms for different audiences
S8.7Facilitate discussion and agreement on the recommendations of the research for all those who
were involved in the process, whether as researchers and/or contributors
S8.8Facilitate participatory approaches to agree realistic, evidence-based priorities using the
information gathered.
46
National Occupational Standards Community Development
Back to contents page
Understand and Engage with Communities | KA2
Examples in Standard Eight of Community Development
values in practice:
The following examples correspond to the key values described at the beginning of Key Area One (Core):
Equality and Anti-discrimination, Social Justice, Collective Action, Community Empowerment and Working
and Learning Together.
V1
Information on the results is presented in different formats to ensure accessibility
V2The results take account of the current political, economic, environmental and social situation of the
community
V3
The community determines recommendations for future actions
V4
The community retains ownership of the results and conclusions
V5
Reflection on the experience of participating in research and consultation processes is organised.
National Occupational Standards Community Development
47
Back to contents page
KA3
Take a Community Development
Approach to Group Work and
Collective Action
Key Area Three:
Take a Community Development Approach to Group Work
and Collective Action
Key Area Three is about supporting communities to come together and organise effectively so that they can
collectively achieve their aims and exert influence on decisions that affect them. It concerns the skills and
knowledge needed to work with groups of all kinds. It involves bringing people together, enabling them to
agree what they want to achieve, and managing conflicts that occur and affect the community. It is about
supporting groups to decide how to organise and campaign to get their views heard. It is of relevance to all
Community Development practitioners.
Key Area Three is underpinned by the five Community Development key values of: Equality and Antidiscrimination, Social Justice, Collective Action, Community Empowerment and Working and Learning
Together.
The following knowledge and understanding statements relate to the four standards within Key Area Three. It
is not necessarily the case that every Key Area Three knowledge statement (KA3) relates to every standard,
but it is likely that a knowledge statement relates to more than one standard.
KA3: Key Area Three
Knowledge and Understanding Statements
What Community Development practitioners must know and understand
The context
KA3.1
The contribution of social movements and community action in bringing about change
KA3.2The impact of power and power relationships upon individuals and communities taking collective
action
KA3.3
The benefits of recognising and valuing diversity
KA3.4
How discrimination and disadvantage impact on working relationships within communities
KA3.5
Barriers to involvement in collective activities and ways to overcome them
KA3.6How to develop community-based strategies which build the confidence, skills and independence
of community groups
KA3.7
48
The importance of groups deciding on their own development.
National Occupational Standards Community Development
Back to contents page
Take a Community Development Approach to Group Work and Collective Action | KA3
Setting common goals
KA3.8
The role of research and information to determine common concerns
KA3.9Appropriate techniques and approaches for the collective identification of common issues, such as
gender, disability, age and culture
KA3.10 Collective decision-making approaches to identifying and agreeing aims and objectives.
Group dynamics and processes
KA3.11How to facilitate collective approaches to group dynamics and development appropriate to the
values of Community Development
KA3.12Equality and anti-discriminatory practice within groups
KA3.13The impact of transient and changing populations on groups
KA3.14Structures which encourage open debate and accountability within groups
KA3.15The roles that people take in groups and the support they need to be effective
KA3.16Methods of facilitating the review and development of group needs and capacity.
Community organising
KA3.17 Collective and participatory approaches to planning an event or activity
KA3.18 How to identify and access necessary resources and support for community events/activities
KA3.19How to ensure compliance with relevant legislation and good practice in relation to planned events/
activities, including how to undertake a risk assessment
KA3.20How to effectively monitor and evaluate events/activities and incorporate learning into future
planning.
Conflict within communities
KA3.21 Causes of conflicts within communities and wider society
KA3.22 Common responses to conflict situations and the impact on group cohesion
KA3.23 Different, and creative, approaches to conflict analysis and resolution
KA3.24 Sources of mediation support available to individuals, communities and practitioners.
National Occupational Standards Community Development
49
Back to contents page
KA3 | Take a Community Development Approach to Group Work and Collective Action
Campaigning
KA3.25 Models and techniques for collectively planning a community based campaign
KA3.26 The importance of making strategic alliances to build support
KA3.27The factors to take into account when choosing methods of publicity and seeking media support for
specific campaigns
KA3.28 How to influence and gain support via national and local political systems and structures
KA3.29 Methods for evaluating community based campaigns.
The standards (S) in Key Area Three are:
S9
Support inclusive and collective working through Community Development practice
S10
Organise community events and activities
S11
Respond to community conflict
S12
Support communities to campaign for change.
Standard Nine:
Support inclusive and collective working through
Community Development practice
This standard is about the Community Development practitioner’s role in supporting people and groups to
come together to identify common issues, set aims and objectives and achieve their common goals. Most
community groups are run by volunteers/unpaid practitioners who often want more people to get involved,
and they need advice on how best to attract and retain new members.
This standard is relevant to all Community Development practitioners involved in groups. This standard is
within Key Area Three and the knowledge and understanding statements that relate to this standard are
included in the KA3 knowledge section above.
What Community Development practitioners need to be able to do
S9.1Act appropriately with individuals and groups to raise awareness of issues that may affect their
community
S9.2
50
Identify and make contact with people who are concerned about their community
National Occupational Standards Community Development
Back to contents page
Take a Community Development Approach to Group Work and Collective Action | KA3
S9.3Bring people together to discuss their own needs, interests and concerns and identify common
areas for potential collective action
S9.4
Support people to participate fully and equally in discussions and decision making
S9.5Encourage consideration of what already exists locally that might meet expressed needs, interests
and concerns
S9.6Support groups to agree aims and objectives and appropriate organisational structures for
collective action
S9.7
Support groups to identify and analyse barriers to achieving their aims
S9.8
Assist groups to identify the roles that their members need to carry out to meet their aims
S9.9
Support groups to identify the tasks they need to undertake to achieve their aims
S9.10Assist groups to build on the strengths, skills and expertise of their members by encouraging
individuals to share and further develop their skills and knowledge through a range of collective
learning approaches
S9.11Suggest ways that groups can review membership and attract new members to meet identified
gaps in skills, expertise and representation
S9.12Support groups to cope with the turnover in active members caused by external factors.
Examples in Standard Nine of Community Development values in practice
The following examples correspond to the key values described at the beginning of Key Area One (Core):
Equality and Anti-discrimination, Social Justice, Collective Action, Community Empowerment and Working
and Learning Together.
V1Groups are open and welcoming to new members from different backgrounds
V2
Groups take steps to ensure people can participate in their activities
V3
Creative and fun activities are used to bring people together
V4Individuals apply the confidence and skills gained from working in groups to more formal
community engagement
V5
Groups have their own networks with other groups and provide peer support for each other.
National Occupational Standards Community Development
51
Back to contents page
KA3 | Take a Community Development Approach to Group Work and Collective Action
Standard Ten:
Organise community events and activities
This standard relates to the roles of Community Development practitioners in supporting or leading on
the organisation of events and activities within communities. These events may include public meetings,
workshops, open days, consultation displays and neighbourhood forums amongst others.
This standard is relevant to all Community Development practitioners. This standard is within Key Area
Three and the knowledge and understanding statements that relate to this standard are included in the KA3
knowledge section above.
What Community Development practitioners need to be able to do
S10.1
Establish the purpose and aim of any planned event or activity through negotiation
S10.2
Consider who needs to be involved, how and why
S10.3
Discuss the ideas with all interested people and organisations
S10.4Agree the details of the event or activity, ensuring that where and when it is held is suitable for the
target audience
S10.5
Ensure issues of access and inclusion for all have been considered and built into the plans
S10.6
Agree the level and kinds of resources that will be needed and where they can be obtained
S10.7
List all the tasks to be done in advance and share them out between those willing to be involved
S10.8
Ensure people have all the information they need to carry out their tasks
S10.9
Encourage people to work with others and bring in new people to help wherever possible
S10.10 Ensure that all health and safety and risk assessments are carried out
S10.11 Ensure that all relevant legal requirements are met
S10.12 Publicise the event/activity widely, using different kinds of publicity material and different media
S10.13 Contact people to encourage them to attend and address barriers to their involvement
S10.14 Obtain appropriate material to record events for a range of purposes
S10.15Ensure that groups understand the need to obtain people’s consent before material to which they
have contributed can be used
S10.16 Follow up any agreed actions
S10.17 Review the original plan and make necessary changes
S10.18 Evaluate the event and use the conclusions of evaluation to inform future events.
52
National Occupational Standards Community Development
Back to contents page
Take a Community Development Approach to Group Work and Collective Action | KA3
Examples in Standard Ten of Community Development values in practice
The following examples correspond to the key values described at the beginning of Key Area One (Core):
Equality and Anti-discrimination, Social Justice, Collective Action, Community Empowerment and Working
and Learning Together.
V1Venues are used that welcome people from different backgrounds and meet the needs and
circumstances of individuals attending
V2
Environmental considerations are taken into account in the planning and use of resources
V3
Opportunities are taken for collaborating with other groups in planning events/activities
V4The knowledge, expertise and skills of community members are used to their full in planning and
running the event
V5
Reflective evaluation is carried out so that future events and activities can benefit.
National Occupational Standards Community Development
53
Back to contents page
KA3 | Take a Community Development Approach to Group Work and Collective Action
Standard Eleven:
Respond to community conflict
There will be many competing interests within a locality or community of interest or identity. Within groups
there will be differences in opinion, perspectives and ways of working, as well as competition for status and
access to resources. All Community Development practitioners need to be able to deal with conflict. Conflicts
and tensions are not necessarily bad, as they can be a catalyst for change. Practitioners need to be able to
respond and support community members and other workers to work constructively with conflict.
This standard is relevant to all Community Development practitioners. This standard is within Key Area
Three and the knowledge and understanding statements that relate to this standard are included in the KA3
knowledge section above.
What Community Development practitioners need to be able to do
S11.1Identify the causes and effects of conflict within and between community groups, communities and
other bodies
S11.2Support people to identify and review areas of potential conflict, common ground and shared
interests
S11.3
Enable groups/communities to consider possible causes and the effects of conflict
S11.4
Identify and analyse blocks to communication and mutual understanding and ways to remove them
S11.5
Identify the abuses of power that create conflict and undermine shared values
S11.6
Clearly state own values, perspectives, and responsibilities concerning any conflict
S11.7
Support those involved to state their views and identify their rights and responsibilities
S11.8
Explore the potential for mediation and identify sources of support
S11.9
Act as a mediator within and between groups as and when appropriate to reach agreement
S11.10 Document areas of agreement and continuing disagreement for future reference
S11.11 Facilitate the development of an effective strategy to deal with continuing areas of conflict.
54
National Occupational Standards Community Development
Back to contents page
Take a Community Development Approach to Group Work and Collective Action | KA3
Examples in Standard Eleven of Community Development
values in practice
The following examples correspond to the key values described at the beginning of Key Area One (Core):
Equality and Anti-discrimination, Social Justice, Collective Action, Community Empowerment and Working
and Learning Together.
V1Conflict is addressed from a position of mutual respect between all parties
V2
Power relationships and their effects are recognised within conflict situations
V3Awareness that community conflict can result from external events and/or decisions made by
others
V4
Constructive ways of challenging ensure sources of conflict are ‘depersonalised’
V5
Individuals and groups reflect on, learn from and progress from conflict situation.
National Occupational Standards Community Development
55
Back to contents page
KA3 | Take a Community Development Approach to Group Work and Collective Action
Standard Twelve:
Support communities to campaign for change
The purpose of Community Development is to support communities to organise collectively to effect change.
This involves making sure that groups and communities have information about opportunities to express
their views, how to find allies, and how to plan for and implement collective actions to tackle their identified
concerns.
This standard is relevant to all Community Development practitioners. This standard is within Key Area
Three and the knowledge and understanding statements that relate to this standard are included in the KA3
knowledge section above.
What Community Development practitioners need to be able to do
S12.1Support groups to identify and agree what changes are needed within a community
S12.2Support groups to identify and evaluate all options for action and to recognise and evaluate
potential obstacles to the achievement of the desired outcomes
S12.3Encourage groups to seek out and use available research and information to make an effective
case for the proposed changes
S12.4Assist groups to identify who has the power and influence to make the changes they want
S12.5Assist groups to identify potential allies who can help and support them
S12.6Support groups to use existing networks and channels of communication to make contact and
initiate discussions
S12.7
Support groups to plan a campaign with realistic timescales, using resources available
S12.8Encourage the allocation of roles and responsibilities for the plan’s implementation in a way which
recognises people’s skills and expertise
S12.9
Support the development of specific skills where gaps are identified
S12.10 Identify other sources of resources, support and expertise, and support groups to use them
S12.11 Support groups to collectively resolve any conflicts or differences that develop during a campaign
S12.12 Support groups to use media effectively to publicise their campaign and make their voice heard
S12.13Ensure that everyone involved in the campaign has accurate and comprehensive information, and
understands how to contribute effectively
S12.14Support groups to monitor the campaign in ways that are participative and to use the results to plan
their next steps
S12.15Encourage groups to evaluate their actions and how effective they have been in influencing
decision-makers.
56
National Occupational Standards Community Development
Back to contents page
Take a Community Development Approach to Group Work and Collective Action | KA3
Examples in Standard Twelve of Community Development
values in practice
The following examples correspond to the key values described at the beginning of Key Area One (Core):
Equality and Anti-discrimination, Social Justice, Collective Action, Community Empowerment and Working
and Learning Together.
V1People’s skills, knowledge and diverse experience are recognised and used in planning a
campaign
V2The importance of open and consensual community decision-making structures is recognised and
valued
V3
Groups recognise and understand the importance of being accountable to their members
V4Community groups develop collaborative working relationships with other groups, networks,
voluntary sector organisations, and public bodies
V5
The approach used in the campaign is analysed for future actions.
National Occupational Standards Community Development
57
Back to contents page
KA4
Promote and Support a Community
Development Approach to Collaborative
and Cross-sectoral Working
Key Area Four:
Promote and Support a Community Development Approach
to Collaborative and Cross-sectoral Working
Key Area Four is about the role of Community Development practitioners in supporting different communities,
groups, public bodies and voluntary organisations to understand each other. The purpose is to encourage
all concerned to build positive relationships and working agreements to achieve their common aims. The
standards reflect the different perspectives and ways that Community Development practitioners can engage
with communities and other bodies to encourage partnership or collaborative working within and between
sectors. They may be acting on behalf of groups, voluntary organisations or public bodies or from within
communities.
Standard Thirteen within Key Area Four applies to all Community Development practitioners. Further to this,
they will be expected to respond to the needs of communities, and draw support from and use personal
reflection to identify if Standards Fourteen, Fifteen or Sixteen are relevant to their responsibilities and work
remit.
Key Area Four is underpinned by the five Community Development key values of: Equality and Antidiscrimination, Social Justice, Collective Action, Community Empowerment and Working and Learning
Together.
The following knowledge and understanding statements relate to the four standards within Key Area Four. It
is not necessarily the case that every Key Area Four knowledge statement (KA4) relates to every standard,
but it is likely that a knowledge statement relates to more than one standard.
KA4: Key Area four
Knowledge and Understanding Statements
What Community Development practitioners must know and understand
The rationale and context
KA4.1The relationship between representative and participatory democracy, democratic decision-making
and participatory practice
KA4.2The concept of political literacy, rights and responsibilities associated with governance, and policies
and practices relating to citizenship
58
National Occupational Standards Community Development
Back to contents page
Promote and Support a Community Development Approach to Collaborative and Cross-sectoral Working | KA4
KA4.3The complexity and diversity of local and national government initiatives and policies, partnerships,
regulators, and advisory and accountable bodies that community groups may be expected to relate
to or meet the requirements of
KA4.4The contribution that diverse communities and autonomous groups make to improving localities
and services
KA4.5The differences and linkages between the concepts of Community Development, community
empowerment, community involvement, community engagement, community capacity building and
other key ideas which are present in government policies and initiatives
KA4.6The differences and linkages between concepts such as cohesion, inclusion and exclusion, and
social capital, and the positive contribution that people make to collaborative working
KA4.7The differences between information giving, consultation, participation, working together and joint
decision-making as approaches to engaging with communities.
Powers of public bodies and the duties and obligations they have to communities
KA4.8
How public bodies are regulated and managed
KA4.9How the different levels and layers of local, national and international government decision-making
can affect communities
KA4.10The responsibilities and development needs of community members involved in decision-making
as part of local governance and devolved structures
KA4.11The duties and responsibilities public bodies have to communities
KA4.12How Community Development practitioners can work with public bodies to promote accessible
ways for them to carry out their responsibilities to engage with communities
Factors which support effective partnership working
KA4.13The range of partnership organisations that make, or contribute to, decisions that affect the
communities they work with/within and how the decisions or recommendations they make can be
influenced
KA4.14 The diversity of groups and communities within a specified locality
KA4.15Forms of injustice, discrimination and social exclusion that operate globally, nationally and locally
which impact on the lives of individuals and communities
KA4.16How power and power relationships and power differentials impact on community-based strategies
and approaches for creating inclusive partnerships
KA4.17The historical and current social, political and economic context of the communities being engaged
with
National Occupational Standards Community Development
59
Back to contents page
KA4 | Promote and Support a Community Development Approach to Collaborative and Cross-sectoral Working
KA4.18Current and historical initiatives designed to increase community involvement, engagement and
empowerment within a specified locality and how to access supporting sources of information,
advice and resources
KA4.19Different levels of representation and accountability in joint working between groups, communities
and other bodies
KA4.20 What motivates people to engage actively with community initiatives
KA4.21 Barriers to involvement in community initiatives and ways of overcoming them
KA4.22Multi-agency approaches to and models of collaborative working and the implications for
community engagement/involvement
KA4.23 Resource and support implications for engaging with the wide spectrum of potential stakeholders
KA4.24The life cycle of partnerships, their limitations and the factors that can cause vulnerability and lack
of sustainability.
Techniques and methods
KA4.25Inclusive and participatory techniques for partners to negotiate, agree, review and evaluate
common aims, objectives, policy development and planning to achieve shared goals
KA4.26Models of advocacy which are inclusive and support the empowerment of communities
KA4.27Techniques and approaches for service providers to be accountable to communities
KA4.28Exit strategies for positive endings when working on initiatives or projects with a set life span
KA4.29Organisational systems and inclusive processes to support strategic collaborative work across
networks and partnerships
KA4.30Methods which facilitate collective learning opportunities for effective collaborative work
KA4.31 Techniques and frameworks for the monitoring, review and evaluation of collaborative work
KA4.32Communication systems which provide accessible formats and processes to inform and support
collaborative work and the dissemination of outcomes.
The standards (S) in Key Area Four are:
60
S13
Promote and support effective relationships between communities and public bodies
S14
Encourage and support public bodies to build effective relationships with communities
S15
Use a Community Development approach to support collaborative and partnership work
S16
Apply a Community Development approach to strategically co-ordinate networks and partnerships.
National Occupational Standards Community Development
Back to contents page
Promote and Support a Community Development Approach to Collaborative and Cross-sectoral Working | KA4
Standard Thirteen:
Promote and support effective relationships between
communities and public bodies
This standard is about how Community Development practitioners enable community groups to understand
public bodies and make informed decisions about whether and how to work together on common agendas.
This standard is relevant to all Community Development practitioners who support the community groups in
this process. This standard is within Key Area Four and the knowledge and understanding statements that
relate to this standard are included in the KA4 knowledge section above.
What Community Development practitioners need
to be able to do
S13.1Enable communities to understand local and national democratic and political processes and
where power and influence reside
S13.2Provide information about the range and remit of public bodies and voluntary organisations
operating in the locality or area of interest to a community group
S13.3Enable communities and groups to understand the boundaries to public bodies’ power and
resources and the implications this has for partnership working
S13.4Support constructive relationships between elected members, officers, organisation
representatives, community groups and individuals
S13.5Provide information to individuals and groups about local opportunities for engaging with
public bodies to change the design and delivery of services or to achieve agreed aims, through
partnership or collaborative work
S13.6Support groups to examine government initiatives and the potential opportunities they create for
communities to influence decision-makers
S13.7Support groups to acquire information about multi-agency/interdisciplinary work arrangements
relevant to communities and groups
S13.8Provide information to groups about seeking/finding relevant contacts in public bodies and their
remits and positions
S13.9Support groups to identify the roles needed and the skills required to engage with public bodies
and professionals.
National Occupational Standards Community Development
61
Back to contents page
KA4 | Promote and Support a Community Development Approach to Collaborative and Cross-sectoral Working
Examples in Standard Thirteen of Community Development
values in practice
The following examples correspond to the key values described at the beginning of Key Area One (Core):
Equality and Anti-discrimination, Social Justice, Collective Action, Community Empowerment and Working
and Learning Together.
V1Groups critically examine opportunities to increase their influence and challenge discriminatory
practice
62
V2
Groups recognise and challenge power imbalances
V3
Groups work collectively and have the confidence to engage in dialogue with public bodies
V4
Groups develop the skills and knowledge to engage effectively
V5
Groups review their knowledge of how public bodies work.
National Occupational Standards Community Development
Back to contents page
Promote and Support a Community Development Approach to Collaborative and Cross-sectoral Working | KA4
Standard Fourteen:
Encourage and support public bodies to build effective
relationships with communities
This standard is for Community Development practitioners who have responsibility for implementing policies
and/or initiatives from local and national governments, which require effective dialogue, working relationships
and lines of accountability to be developed between public bodies and communities or community groups.
This standard is within Key Area Four and the knowledge and understanding statements that relate to this
standard are included in the KA4 knowledge section above.
What Community Development practitioners need to be able to do
S14.1Articulate the benefits of public bodies making contact with different people, organisations and
groups
S14.2Work with public bodies and their staff to enable them to understand, resource and respond
effectively to diverse communities, accepting community-identified needs as a basis for providing
services
S14.3Recognise and explore the limitations and restrictions on the time and resources of community
groups and community representatives and the implications for collaborative working
S14.4
Identify sources of support within public bodies for community representatives
S14.5Raise awareness of the unequal power relationships that exist between public bodies and
community groups and the impact this can have on working together
S14.6Encourage decision-makers to examine their values, perspectives and approaches to working with
communities and challenge inappropriate ideas
S14.7Examine the potential within local, national and global government policies and initiatives for
effective working with communities on the basis of equality, fairness and inclusion
S14.8Communicate the value of a Community Development approach to creating dialogue, engaging,
and working with communities to colleagues and managers and highlight the potential for achieving
policy objectives
S14.9Offer information and training to public sector staff to develop their knowledge and skills in
engaging with communities and groups in inclusive and empowering ways
S14.10Articulate the benefits of policies which provide sustainable funding for community engagement,
and for regular reviews to ensure that funding meets changing community needs
S14.11Use nationally, regionally or locally agreed frameworks as the basis for developing working
relationships with voluntary and community groups.
National Occupational Standards Community Development
63
Back to contents page
KA4 | Promote and Support a Community Development Approach to Collaborative and Cross-sectoral Working
Examples in Standard Fourteen of Community Development
values in practice
The following examples correspond to the key values described at the beginning of Key Area One (Core):
Equality and Anti-discrimination, Social Justice, Collective Action, Community Empowerment and Working
and Learning Together.
V1The complexity and diversity of communities is recognised and used in planning for community
engagement to reflect equality
V2Power relationships are acknowledged and actively worked with to improve power imbalances in
collaborative working
V3The range of skills and knowledge required to engage in an empowering way with communities is
recognised and learning opportunities are created
V4There is enthusiasm for working with members of communities and groups to improve localities
V5Evaluation and reflection are used to review Community Development approaches as part of the
work of the organisation.
64
National Occupational Standards Community Development
Back to contents page
Promote and Support a Community Development Approach to Collaborative and Cross-sectoral Working | KA4
Standard Fifteen:
Use a Community Development approach to support
collaborative and partnership work
This standard relates to the role of Community Development practitioners in encouraging and supporting
collaborative work. Community Development practitioners enable groups and organisations (within the
voluntary and community sectors and communities of interest or geographical areas) to work together in
various partnership and collaborative arrangements, in order to achieve common aims, access resources or
increase their influence. Many Community Development practitioners have responsibility for encouraging and
supporting community members to work collaboratively within partnerships and consortia/forums.
Other relevant aspects include setting up projects and partnerships. Practitioners involved in this area of
work may find Standard Twenty Two within Key Area Six relevant.
This standard is relevant to Community Development practitioners who support collaborative and partnership
working. This standard is within Key Area Four and the knowledge and understanding statements that relate
to this standard are included in the KA4 knowledge section above.
In this standard the term ‘groups’ is used as a generic term and includes organisations and agencies.
What Community Development practitioners need to be able to do
S15.1Facilitate groups to identify common needs and the potential for collaborative action based on the
values and perspectives of all those involved
S15.2Encourage the identification of, and contact between, existing groups with similar interests to share
ideas, experience and practice
S15.3Support groups to clearly identify and agree aims and objectives of collaborative work and develop
short- and long-term strategies
S15.4Support groups to evaluate the implications of joining partnerships for achieving their aims and
explore potential risks from legal, organisational, regulatory, statutory and funders’ requirements
S15.5Provide information to groups about existing partnerships, their aims and work, and opportunities
for involvement
S15.6Enable groups to set up structures and systems for transparent and accountable collaborative work
which are based on inclusive and participatory methods
S15.7Encourage diversity in the development of planning and structural arrangements to deliver policy
initiatives which meet community needs
S15.8Support groups to create, promote and take up opportunities to share or develop skills, values,
knowledge and experience to work effectively together
National Occupational Standards Community Development
65
Back to contents page
KA4 | Promote and Support a Community Development Approach to Collaborative and Cross-sectoral Working
S15.9Encourage collaborative working which promotes a climate of trust and empathy based on mutual
respect, which recognises and addresses blocks to participation
S15.10Support monitoring and evaluation of partnership or collaborative working relationships and the use
of the information to make changes
S15.11Support groups to review the effectiveness of joint working arrangements and the resources
committed to these.
Examples in Standard Fifteen of Community Development
values in practice
The following examples correspond to the key values described at the beginning of Key Area One (Core):
Equality and Anti-discrimination, Social Justice, Collective Action, Community Empowerment and Working
and Learning Together.
V1
The autonomy and diversity of communities involved in partnerships is respected
V2
Barriers to involvement for marginalised communities are recognised and addressed
V3Structures are developed which utilise the skills, knowledge and experience of community
members and others
V4Creative ways of working together are encouraged and partnership members are collectively
accountable to the wider community
V5
66
Shared learning from each other is built into the regular activities of the partnership.
National Occupational Standards Community Development
Back to contents page
Promote and Support a Community Development Approach to Collaborative and Cross-sectoral Working | KA4
Standard Sixteen:
Apply a Community Development approach to strategically
co-ordinate networks and partnerships
This standard is for those Community Development practitioners who have responsibility for co-ordinating
or taking strategic approaches to networking within and across communities with a remit for developing
coherent and inclusive partnership working and appropriately targeted resources. It is relevant to all
Community Development practitioners and managers who work across different communities and provide
links and/or co-ordination between communities. It involves relationship building between diverse groups
and community members, and statutory and other bodies. It includes creatively handling the tensions
when working ‘strategically’ across a wider area or with larger initiatives which impact on many different
communities, and working with local communities on their own agendas.
This standard is relevant to all Community Development practitioners and managers who work across
different communities and provide links and/or co-ordination between communities. This standard is within
Key Area Four and the knowledge and understanding statements that relate to this standard are included in
the KA4 knowledge section above.
What Community Development practitioners
need to be able to do
S16.1Evaluate and raise awareness of the changing political, social and economic environment affecting
local communities and engage with partners to agree actions
S16.2Identify potential positive outcomes from working between and across communities and sectors
and communicate these to others
S16.3Support networks and partnerships to work together over issues of conflict, competition, funding
and ideology
S16.4Support or co-ordinate collaborative working which promotes dialogue and understanding between
and across community groups, networks and communities and challenges exclusive practices,
assumptions and stereotypes
S16.5Raise awareness of barriers to involvement for community groups and establish and/or maintain
organisational systems to ensure that strategies and actions promote equality and inclusivity
between and across communities
S16.6Promote the co-ordination and coherence of organisational policies and structures within partner
organisations which impact on communities and community organisations
S16.7Effectively consult on planned activities and strategies that may impact on communities, and
communicate about these to colleagues and partner organisations
National Occupational Standards Community Development
67
Back to contents page
KA4 | Promote and Support a Community Development Approach to Collaborative and Cross-sectoral Working
S16.8Promote ways of involving marginalised communities in strategic networking, influencing and
decision-making initiatives and processes
S16.9Promote collaborative working processes which support smaller and/or more marginalised groups
to engage in relevant wider area or regional initiatives
S16.10Encourage groups and public bodies to identify, challenge and effectively change processes which
exclude and marginalise
S16.11Enable networks and partnerships to recognise power and resource imbalances and how they
affect relationships between and across communities
S16.12Provide current information in accessible ways to enable informed decisions about community
engagement
S16.13Use models for inter-community working which will support collective problem solving across
communities
S16.14Seek support and resources to facilitate inter-community learning, working and engagement with
decision making.
Examples in Standard Sixteen of Community Development
values in practice
The following examples correspond to the key values described at the beginning of Key Area One (Core):
Equality and Anti-discrimination, Social Justice, Collective Action, Community Empowerment and Working
and Learning Together.
V1
Public bodies actively support the involvement of marginalised communities in partnerships
V2Processes and procedures address differences in power and resources held by communities and
groups through positive action measures and anti-oppressive practice
68
V3
The influence of communities is strengthened through collective and collaborative actions
V4
Processes and procedures reflect transparency and accountability to communities
V5
Learning from the diverse experiences of people within the network is encouraged and supported.
National Occupational Standards Community Development
Back to contents page
KA5
Support Community Learning from
Shared Experiences
Key Area Five:
Support Community Learning from Shared Experiences
Key Area Five relates to the role of Community Development in supporting the learning of people in
communities, community groups and organisations. For people to be effective in getting their voices heard or
running their own activities they need to develop a wide range of skills and knowledge. Practitioners who are
engaging with communities, particularly over government policies and initiatives, need specific knowledge
and skills for working with diverse communities. Community Development practitioners take on the role of an
informal/adult educator as they encourage people to develop their skills through doing and activity, enable
community groups and members to meet up and share their experiences, or run informal workshops helping
groups to plan and review their activities or understand legal niceties. They often encourage people to look
at their learning and development needs and support them to find out the best ways to meet these needs.
Some practitioners may organise and deliver more formal learning opportunities themselves and/or work with
other providers to ensure their provision is appropriate and accessible to communities.
In Key Area Five, the term ‘groups’ is used as a generic term and includes organisations and agencies.
Key Area Five is underpinned by the five Community Development key values of: Equality and Antidiscrimination, Social Justice, Collective Action, Community Empowerment and Working and Learning
Together.
The following knowledge and understanding statements (KA) relate to the standards (S) within Key Area
Five. It is not necessarily the case that every Key Area Five knowledge statement (KA5) relates to every
standard, but it is likely that a knowledge statement relates to more than one standard.
KA5: Key Area Five
Knowledge and Understanding Statements
What Community Development practitioners must know and understand:
The context
KA5.1The history of community based learning and the impact of past and current government, national
and local policies relating to adult and community education
KA5.2The role of learning in promoting trust, understanding and respect within and between communities
KA5.3
Barriers to learning and ways to overcome them
National Occupational Standards Community Development
69
Back to contents page
KA5 | Support Community Learning from Shared Experiences
KA5.4The role of Community Development practitioners in supporting groups and individuals to access
learning and education that will enable them to promote change within communities
KA5.5
Anti-discriminatory practice in the provision and delivery of learning and the rights of learners.
Approaches to learning
KA5.6Reflection on experience and active participation in the context of the action-reflection cycle of
learning
KA5.7Methods and techniques for encouraging learning from diverse experiences, perspectives and
practice
KA5.8Approaches and methods to support informal and group based learning
KA5.9Different learning styles and history and how these impact on people’s preferences for learning
approaches
KA5.10Approaches and models for identifying current and future learning needs for people engaged in
community activities
KA5.11How the outcomes of learning in Community Development contribute to promoting change.
Resources and support for learning
KA5.12 The nature of community-based learning and resources available to support it
KA5.13The use of appropriate methods and resources to design learning materials and deliver learning
programmes
KA5.14Relevant frameworks for Community Development learning and qualifications
KA5.15Formal and informal learning support networks and how to access them.
Evaluation of learning
KA5.16Methods for evaluating learning programmes and events
KA5.17Methods of evaluating the outcomes of learning for communities and individuals
KA5.18Ways of using the results of the evaluation of learning as the basis of future learning for individuals
and groups
KA5.19The range of processes for collating and disseminating information and sharing knowledge about
learning activities/programmes
KA5.20How to work with other learning providers to ensure provision is accessible and responsive to
community needs.
70
National Occupational Standards Community Development
Back to contents page
Support Community Learning from Shared Experiences | KA5
The standards (S) in Key Area Five are:
S17
Promote and develop opportunities of learning from Community Development practice
S18
Facilitate community learning for social and political development.
National Occupational Standards Community Development
71
Back to contents page
KA5 | Support Community Learning from Shared Experiences
Standard Seventeen:
Promote and develop opportunities for learning from
Community Development practice
This standard is about the recognition that people learn through action and experience and how practitioners
encourage people involved in Community Development to appreciate different ways of learning through
reflecting on their own and others’ experiences, learning from others, and seeking out and creating informal
and formal opportunities for people to learn together.
This standard is relevant to all Community Development practitioners. This standard is within Key Area
Five and the knowledge and understanding statements that relate to this standard are included in the KA5
knowledge section above.
What Community Development practitioners need to be able to do
S17.1Promote the value of learning and its potential to benefit people economically, socially, emotionally
and intellectually
S17.2Promote the value of learning from experience to everyone involved in Community Development
S17.3Create and make use of formal, informal and incidental opportunities within community activities to
share ideas, skills, knowledge and experience
S17.4Identify and promote examples of good practice to aid own and others’ understanding of
Community Development practice
S17.5
Reflect on own practice to inform future ways of working
S17.6Promote learning opportunities to individuals and groups who are under-represented in the take up
of learning provision
S17.7Assist individuals and groups to recognise barriers to participation in learning and identify ways to
overcome them
S17.8Encourage groups and agencies to develop learning plans for their organisation, staff and
volunteers
S17.9
Identify resources to meet learning needs
S17.10Provide information about learning opportunities using a range of methods that will reach different
communities
S17.11Encourage learning providers to work collaboratively with communities to develop and deliver
appropriate programmes for Community Development learning
S17.12 Encourage and support active participation in learning.
72
National Occupational Standards Community Development
Back to contents page
Support Community Learning from Shared Experiences | KA5
Examples in Standard Seventeen of Community Development
values in practice
The following examples correspond to the key values described at the beginning of Key Area One (Core):
Equality and Anti-discrimination, Social Justice, Collective Action, Community Empowerment and Working
and Learning Together.
V1
Barriers to participation in learning are recognised and steps are taken to overcome them
V2People are supported to develop confidence, skills and knowledge and to recognise and challenge
power imbalances in the decision-making processes affecting their communities
V3Opportunities for people to learn together are an integral part of planning, taking and evaluating
any action
V4Different perspectives and experiences are recognised and valued when planning learning
V5
Visits are made to other projects to share learning from action.
National Occupational Standards Community Development
73
Back to contents page
KA5 | Support Community Learning from Shared Experiences
Standard Eighteen:
Facilitate community learning for social and political
development
This standard is about the role that Community Development practitioners have in facilitating the learning of
individuals and groups. It examines Community Development practitioners’ roles in the provision of learning
opportunities to develop the expertise, skills, knowledge and creative ideas of people involved in Community
Development. Its focus is learning that supports collective working/action and gives communities a more
effective voice.
This standard is relevant to Community Development practitioners organising and/or delivering Community
Development learning opportunities. This standard is within Key Area Five and the knowledge and
understanding statements that relate to this standard are included in the KA5 knowledge section above.
What Community Development practitioners need to be able to do
S18.1Establish and maintain relationships which promote a climate of trust and understanding that
values individuals in the learning process
S18.2Facilitate the self and collective awareness of people involved in community development in terms
of the identification of their individual learning needs and those of community groups/organisations
S18.3Facilitate tailored learning activities to meet the expressed needs of individuals and community
groups
S18.4Facilitate active participation in different ways of learning, providing support to people with different
traditions and backgrounds in learning to enable them to access opportunities
S18.5
Involve learners/potential learners in the design and organisation of learning opportunities
S18.6
Use people’s experiences as the starting point of learning activities
S18.7Use a variety of participative methods and techniques in the delivery of training that take into
account different learning styles and past experiences of learning
S18.8Create supportive environments for learning which explore values, perspectives, rights and
responsibilities
S18.9Facilitate learning which promotes a critical understanding of how power structures work locally,
nationally and globally
S18.10 Identify and access appropriate sources and resources for Community Development learning
S18.11Promote recognised Community Development learning and qualification programmes to
practitioners within the Community Development field
74
National Occupational Standards Community Development
Back to contents page
Support Community Learning from Shared Experiences | KA5
S18.12Negotiate with training and learning providers to develop provision to meet the expressed needs of
communities
S18.13Access and share information about local, regional and national systems to support community
learning
S18.14Work with others to identify and use wider networks and opportunities for learning
S18.15Monitor, review and report on the impact of different learning opportunities for individuals and
communities
S18.16Use evaluation to enable communities to draw conclusions and form recommendations to influence
learning provision in terms of availability, content, and style of delivery
S18.17 Signpost to sources of information, advice and guidance for further personal development.
Examples in Standard Eighteen of Community Development
values in practice
The following examples correspond to the key values described at the beginning of Key Area One (Core):
Equality and Anti-discrimination, Social Justice, Collective Action, Community Empowerment and Working
and Learning Together.
V1Barriers to learning including access issues, cultural differences, communication skills or issues of
self-confidence are addressed
V2
The role of learning in changing people’s social, economic and political situation is recognised
V3Learning opportunities are designed specifically to develop skills and knowledge for collaborative
and collective working
V4Individuals and groups develop the confidence and skills to be able to represent themselves and
their interests
V5Collaborative work between groups in different sectors delivers learning programmes and activities
which meet the needs of individuals and community groups.
National Occupational Standards Community Development
75
Back to contents page
KA6
Provide Community Development
Support to Organisations
Key Area Six:
Provide Community Development Support to Organisations
Key Area Six relates to the role of Community Development practitioners in setting up new projects and
partnerships, as well as in supporting groups to keep going or to change their structures, and ways of
organising to meet new situations and demands. Some groups may wish to develop into more formal
organisations while others will want to look at better ways they can organise to meet their aims/purpose. This
Key Area includes the vital role of groups reviewing, monitoring and evaluating their practices and activities
as the basis for future changes and improvements.
In Key Area Six the term ‘groups’ is used as a generic term and includes organisations and agencies.
Key Area Six is underpinned by the five Community Development key values of: Equality and Antidiscrimination, Social Justice, Collective Action, Community Empowerment and Working and Learning
Together.
The following knowledge and understanding statements (KA) relate to the five standards (S) within Key
Area Six. It is not necessarily the case that every Key Area Six knowledge statement (KA6) relates to every
standard, but it is likely that a knowledge statement relates to more than one standard.
KA6: Key Area Six
Knowledge and Understanding Statements
What Community Development practitioners must know and understand
Democratic structures
KA6.1The distinctive aspects of the cultures within the voluntary and community sectors and their impact
on organisational design
KA6.2The contribution of autonomous and self-determining organisations to effective community action
and engagement
KA6.3
Models for democratic decision-making processes
KA6.4Equality issues that should be addressed in the development of participatory organisational
structures.
76
National Occupational Standards Community Development
Back to contents page
Provide Community Development Support to Organisations | KA6
Ways of organising
KA6.5Techniques to assist organisations to determine, develop and review their aims and priorities,
strengths and areas for improvement
KA6.6Current models of good practice in organisational processes and operations relevant to community
groups and voluntary organisations, including running effective meetings
KA6.7
Models of participatory action planning for the short, medium and longer term
KA6.8Models and techniques for allocating roles and responsibilities to make the best use of people’s
skills and diverse experience
KA6.9
The difference between the operational and strategic aspects of running organisations and projects
KA6.10Appropriate and effective models for managing changes in small organisations and dealing with
contingencies
KA6.11Factors that support the long-term sustainability of organisations or indicate that the organisation is
no longer sustainable.
Legal matters
KA6.12Current organisational and legal structures appropriate to community organisations, their
advantages and disadvantages, and legal and accountability implications for trustees, managers
and beneficiaries
KA6.13 Organisations that provide detailed advice and support on legal and organisational structures
KA6.14Legislation, including that dealing with equality and anti-discriminatory practice, relevant to
community activities and community organisations
KA6.15 The role and function of policy development throughout an organisation
KA6.16Statutory frameworks relevant to funding, and the general requirements of funding bodies and their
implications for organisations
KA6.17 The fundamentals of the data protection legislation and its implications for community organisations
KA6.18 Statutory requirements relating to establishing, constituting and closing down an organisation.
Resources and finance
KA6.19 How to estimate the resource needs for specific organisations, projects and activities
KA6.20Basic understanding of financial systems for budgeting and account keeping, and of software
programmes appropriate for community organisations
National Occupational Standards Community Development
77
Back to contents page
KA6 | Provide Community Development Support to Organisations
KA6.21The range of plans (e.g. business, development, financial, resources, etc) that community
organisations may find useful as they grow and change over time
KA6.22Information required for any funding application and the difference between drafting small and
large-scale applications
KA6.23 Environmental issues relating to the use of different types of resources.
Project management
KA6.24 Project planning and management principles and methods and how to apply them
KA6.25The constraints that usually exist in projects (e.g. time, resources, technology and legislation), and
how to look for, identify and estimate the impact of such constraints
KA6.26 The basis for making an initial assessment of the feasibility of projects
KA6.27 Factors leading to a successful closure of a project.
Participative and collective evaluation and monitoring
KA6.28Monitoring and evaluation systems which will collect accurate and relevant information about the
progress of a project to aid decision making
KA6.29How to construct an evaluation framework for Community Development incorporating the main
components of inputs, outputs, indicators, measures, and outcomes/impact
KA6.30Participative methods of evaluating the effectiveness of any activity, and appropriate dissemination
strategies
KA6.31 Where to obtain the resources and expertise to support monitoring and evaluation.
The standards (S) in Key Area Six are:
78
S19
Advise on organisational structures using Community Development perspectives
S20
Plan and gain resources and funding for sustainability through Community Development practice
S21
Strengthen groups using Community Development approaches and practice
S22
Set up new projects and partnerships using Community Development approaches and practice
S23
Use a Community Development approach to monitoring and evaluation.
National Occupational Standards Community Development
Back to contents page
Provide Community Development Support to Organisations | KA6
Standard Nineteen:
Advise on organisational structures using Community
Development perspectives
This standard relates to the support that Community Development practitioners provide when groups
develop their organisational structures. Informal groups may want to explore different informal structures,
and formal organisations may be interested in exploring more formal approaches to organising. This can
be for many different reasons; to meet funders’ demands, the groups may have reached a certain stage in
their development, or they may want to take on and manage significant resources, for example a building,
staff etc. Community Development practitioners may take a more or less active role in this area of work
depending on their brief and the alternative support services available to groups.
This standard is relevant to all Community Development practitioners who work directly with community
groups. This standard is within Key Area Six and the knowledge and understanding statements that relate to
this standard are included in the KA6 knowledge section above.
In this standard the term ‘groups’ applies to both formal and informal groups.
What Community Development practitioners need to be able to do
S19.1Assist groups to review and agree their current purpose, aims, priorities, structure and
membership, taking into account the current societal context
S19.2
Encourage groups to evaluate their reasons for considering new forms of organisation
S19.3Provide, or signpost groups to, sources of information about the different organisational structures
that exist
S19.4Support groups to identify, consider and access sources of support and expertise to help them
decide on appropriate organisational structures
S19 .5Encourage discussions on the different options available, their implications for the group and its
members, and their advantages and disadvantages
S19.6Assist groups to agree an organisational structure which will meet their future needs and ensure
accountability to their members and the wider community
S19.7Encourage the use of Community Development values and principles as the foundation for building
the organisational structure
S19.8Assist groups to access advice and guidance so their way of organising complies with legislation
and reflects recognised good quality policy and practice
S19.9
Facilitate groups to review and agree their decision-making arrangements.
National Occupational Standards Community Development
79
Back to contents page
KA6 | Provide Community Development Support to Organisations
Examples in Standard Nineteen of Community Development
values in practice
The following examples correspond to the key values described at the beginning of Key Area One (Core):
Equality and Anti-discrimination, Social Justice, Collective Action, Community Empowerment and Working
and Learning Together.
V1
Groups continually strive to work democratically and involve all members
V2
The agreed aims for a group have a social justice element
V3Groups critically analyse any requests for changes to the way they are constituted and the
implications for them
80
V4
Group members take a strategic view about their future activities when deciding their structure
V5
Groups regularly review the way they are operating.
National Occupational Standards Community Development
Back to contents page
Provide Community Development Support to Organisations | KA6
Standard Twenty:
Plan and gain resources and funding for sustainability
through Community Development practice
This standard relates to the support that Community Development practitioners provide to groups who need
to identify their resource needs and then to plan how best to obtain the range of resources which will ensure
their longer-term sustainability.
Note: ‘resources’ does not just mean funding but refers to a wide range of assets including people’s time,
skills, knowledge, donations of equipment, materials and buildings.
This standard is relevant to Community Development practitioners who provide direct support to community
groups. This standard is within Key Area Six and the knowledge and understanding statements that relate to
this standard are included in the KA6 knowledge section above.
What Community Development practitioners need to be able to do
S20.1Support groups to develop strategies to achieve their aims, including identification of short- and
long-term objectives and/or development or business plans
S20.2Support groups to identify their current and future resources requirements to achieve their aims
and objectives
S20.3
Support groups to identify their members’ expertise and the group’s assets
S20.4
Encourage groups to think creatively about meeting their resource needs
S20.5Assist groups to calculate the value of different sorts of resources, including the contribution of
people’s time and skills to their activities
S20.6Facilitate the evaluation of a group’s viability and sustainability, including the identification of
competitors and opportunities
S20.7
Encourage support agencies to offer appropriate advice and services to community based groups
S20.8Signpost groups to support agencies for help with developing strategies and identifying resource
holders
S20.9Encourage groups to assess the appropriateness of potential funding sources for their identified
needs and decide where to apply to
S20.10Enable groups to consider the possibilities for raising funds through providing services to their
community or other groups and/or provide information on options for being paid for delivering public
services and how to pursue this
National Occupational Standards Community Development
81
Back to contents page
KA6 | Provide Community Development Support to Organisations
S20.11Encourage groups to come together into formal or informal partnerships that can bid for larger
amounts of money unavailable to smaller groups
S20.12Support groups with making a range of funding applications, including gathering information,
undertaking research into actual and potential sources of funding, and agreeing budgets and work
plans
S20.13Assist groups to develop a resources and funding strategy showing their funding needs, the
fundraising methods they intend to use and roles and responsibilities of group members in its
implementation
S20.14Support groups to develop and manage their own resource and financial monitoring systems and
actively use the information gathered to be accountable to funders, beneficiaries and the wider
community.
Examples in Standard Twenty of Community Development
values in practice:
The following examples correspond to the key values described at the beginning of Key Area One (Core):
Equality and Anti-discrimination, Social Justice, Collective Action, Community Empowerment and Working
and Learning Together.
82
V1
Groups recognise the resources available from within their membership and the wider community
V2
Groups are aware of ethical and environmental issues relating to funding and resources
V3
Groups develop their critical awareness of the implications of their commitments
V4
Groups have the confidence to take control of the use of available resources
V5
Group members develop their financial literacy and management skills.
National Occupational Standards Community Development
Back to contents page
Provide Community Development Support to Organisations | KA6
Standard Twenty One:
Strengthen groups using Community Development
approaches and practice
This standard relates to the role Community Development practitioners have in supporting existing groups to
review they way they operate so they can be more effective in the way they organise to achieve their aims. It
involves encouraging groups to think ahead and to gather information about the situation they are currently
in, what might change in the future, and how they can plan for the longer term. This standard includes some
aspects of planning, in order to employ and support staff as well as volunteers.
This standard is relevant to Community Development practitioners directly working with community groups.
This standard is within Key Area Six and the knowledge and understanding statements that relate to this
standard are included in the KA6 knowledge section above.
This standard links to:
• Key Area Three, Standard Nine ‘Support inclusive and collective working’
• Key Area Five, Standard Seventeen ‘Promote and develop opportunities of learning from practice’.
What Community Development practitioners need to be able to do
S21.1
Encourage groups to take a strategic approach to planning for their future
S21.2
Support groups to examine their potential commitments against their capability to deliver
S21.3Encourage groups to review their current practice and organisational policies against established
good practice and changes in polices and legislation
S21.4
Support groups to gather and interpret information on the opportunities and threats they face
S21.5Encourage groups to use their evaluation and monitoring data to review their activities and reach
agreement on their future direction
S21.6Encourage groups to review their processes and procedures for their meetings and decisionmaking processes to ensure all voices are heard
S21.7
Support groups to review the effectiveness of their internal and external communication systems
S21.8
Support groups to review their policies and actions on risk management and health and safety
S21.9
Recommend changes in activities, plans and resources, and explain the rationale
S21.10 Encourage groups to consider tactical alliances and joint working with other organisations
S21.11Assist groups to agree on the changes they need to make and to plan to manage these changes,
e.g. by accessing specialist support services
National Occupational Standards Community Development
83
Back to contents page
KA6 | Provide Community Development Support to Organisations
S21.12Provide basic information about employment legislation and signpost to specialist organisations
who can help with being an employer
S21.13Help develop systems for the selection and recruitment of volunteers and staff which are
transparent, consistent and conform to legislation
S21.14 Assist with writing ‘job descriptions’ for paid and unpaid practitioners
S21.15Promote ways of encouraging and supporting potential applicants from under-represented
communities
S21.16Support groups to provide appropriate quality line management and professional support for
Community Development practitioners.
Examples in Standard Twenty One of Community Development
values in practice
The following examples correspond to the key values described at the beginning of Key Area One (Core):
Equality and Anti-discrimination, Social Justice, Collective Action, Community Empowerment and Working
and Learning Together.
84
V1
Groups actively practice equality within all their activities
V2
Groups are aware of political and social changes and how they might impact on them
V3
Good communication exists between groups in an area
V4
Groups decide for themselves how they want to plan for the future
V5
Groups collectively review and redraft their policies.
National Occupational Standards Community Development
Back to contents page
Provide Community Development Support to Organisations | KA6
Standard Twenty Two:
Set up new projects and partnerships using Community
Development approaches and practice
This standard relates to the work that Community Development practitioners may undertake to set up new
projects or to develop new partnerships, within and between sectors, to meet identified needs or in response
to policy initiatives and regulations. It is designed primarily for Community Development practitioners with
a specific remit for this area of work. It is also relevant to all practitioners who work with partnerships as it
offers a template for effective partnership development.
This standard is relevant to Community Development practitioners with remit to set up new projects and
partnerships. This standard is within Key Area Six and the knowledge and understanding statements that
relate to this standard are included in the KA6 knowledge section above.
What Community Development practitioners need to be able to do
S22.1Explore the proposed project’s or partnership’s scope and organisational objectives with other
people
S22.2
Identify the different people and organisations with interests in the project or partnership
S22.3Provide people involved in the project or partnership with information about relevant policies and
initiatives that may affect its planned activities
S22.4Encourage realistic and informed views on the feasibility of the project or partnership through
identifying the likely risks it might face over a period of time
S22.5Support people involved to establish their shared aims and objectives for the project or partnership
to achieve
S22.6Realistically estimate and cost the resources required to carry out the project’s or partnership’s
tasks
S22.7Support members to divide the project’s or partnership’s work into tasks which are manageable,
measurable and achievable
S22. 8Recommend roles for the project/partnership, and encourage the equitable allocation of tasks
S22.9Establish each member’s level of responsibility and accountability for project or partnership
activities, resources and decisions
S22.10 Maintain effective working relationships with relevant people involved in the project or partnership.
National Occupational Standards Community Development
85
Back to contents page
KA6 | Provide Community Development Support to Organisations
Examples in Standard Twenty Two of Community Development
values in practice
The following examples correspond to the key values described at the beginning of Key Area One (Core):
Equality and Anti-discrimination, Social Justice, Collective Action, Community Empowerment and Working
and Learning Together.
V1
Best practice in promoting equality is built into the project/partnership from the start
V2
Differences of power in decision-making and resources are recognised and tackled
V3Real partnerships are developed which will benefit the community, e.g. avoiding partnerships
which exist for their own sake, that have no real benefit to communities or are merely box-ticking
exercises
V4Proposals for new projects and partnerships are critically examined to ensure they meet
community-identified needs
V5All members of a partnership commit to sharing their skills and expertise and learning from others
and the pursuit of common goals.
86
National Occupational Standards Community Development
Back to contents page
Provide Community Development Support to Organisations | KA6
Standard Twenty Three:
Use a Community Development approach to monitoring
and evaluation
This standard relates to the Community Development practitioner’s role in encouraging and supporting
groups in relation to monitoring, reviewing and evaluating their activities, projects, and ways of organising. It
provides a framework for evaluating the outcomes and impact of Community Development practice.
This standard is relevant to all Community Development practitioners. This standard is within Key Area
Six and the knowledge and understanding statements that relate to this standard are included in the KA6
knowledge section above.
What Community Development practitioners need to be able to do
S23.1Recognise and explain the relevance, importance and purpose of monitoring, reviewing and
evaluating
S23.2Facilitate agreement about timescales for monitoring, review and evaluation and set deadlines
S23.3
Help set the scope and criteria for monitoring, reviewing and evaluating activities
S23.4Ensure groups and agencies recognise and plan for the time and resource implications of
undertaking evaluations
S23.5Support the use of open, inclusive and empowering methods for gathering and recording qualitative
and quantitative information which will show the outcomes of a group’s activities
S23.6Provide information on available training and support to group members so they can create and
implement a framework for evaluation of services and organisational activities
S23.7
Ensure that groups have procedures for dealing with sensitive and confidential information
S23.8Explain how information collected can be verified for accuracy and relevance, and recorded in a
way that allows it to be used to inform future projects
S23.9Encourage regular contact between all those involved in the monitoring, review or evaluation
processes
S23.10Support groups to review the findings gathered against agreed criteria to draw conclusions and
make recommendations
S23.11Support groups to report their findings and recommendations to those who contributed and to
others that need to know e.g. funders, group members, agencies and politicians
S23.12Encourage a review of the processes and methods used in the monitoring, review or evaluation,
which compares what was planned with what actually happened
National Occupational Standards Community Development
87
Back to contents page
KA6 | Provide Community Development Support to Organisations
S23.13 Provide support and information to enable groups to implement recommendations
S23.14 Agree different levels of involvement with groups in response to their changing situations.
Examples in Standard Twenty Three of Community Development
values in practice
The following examples correspond to the key values described at the beginning of Key Area One (Core):
Equality and Anti-discrimination, Social Justice, Collective Action, Community Empowerment and Working
and Learning Together.
V1
Monitoring and evaluation processes are inclusive, empowering and anti-discriminatory
V2
Communities have control over the evaluation of their own projects
V3
The results of monitoring and evaluation activities are used to inform future planning and activities
V4Evaluations record the impact that Community Development activities have made to policies and
higher level objectives
V5
88
Evaluations record the ‘distance travelled’ by individuals and groups.
National Occupational Standards Community Development
Back to contents page
KA7
Support Community Learning from
Shared Experiences
Key Area Seven:
Manage and Develop Community Development Practice
Key Area Seven relates primarily to the role of line managers of Community Development practitioners.
It also has relevance for senior managers within larger organisations with responsibility for work areas
involving Community Development. Managers often have two distinctive roles: one involves supervising
Community Development practitioners, the other involves understanding the internal and external
environment that Community Development practitioners operate within. Effective management involves
ensuring that the employing organisation, and those bodies that the practitioners will be working with,
understand Community Development and adjust their systems and structures to enable effective Community
Development to be carried out.
Key Area Seven only covers those aspects of management which are specific to managing Community
Development practice; the generic aspects of management are covered in the Management and Leadership
National Occupational Standards.
All managers will need to meet the requirements in Key Area One (Core) within the Community Development
National Occupational Standards.
In Key Area Seven the term ‘groups’ is used as a generic term and includes organisations and agencies.
Key Area Seven is underpinned by the five Community Development key values of: Equality and Antidiscrimination, Social Justice, Collective Action, Community Empowerment and Working and Learning
Together.
The following knowledge and understanding statements (KA) relate to the two standards (S) within Key Area
Seven. It is not necessarily the case that every Key Area Seven knowledge statement (KA7) relates to every
standard, but it is likely that a knowledge statement relates to more than one standard.
KA7: Key Area Seven
Knowledge and Understanding Statements
What Community Development managers must know and understand
The context
KA7.1
Key issues in managing Community Development within the public and voluntary sectors
KA7.2
The organisational context for Community Development and local, regional and national policy
KA7.3
The nature, composition and history of local communities
National Occupational Standards Community Development
89
Back to contents page
KA7 | Support Community Learning from Shared Experiences
KA7.4
The organisational ethos and procedures that will impact on communities
KA7.5The range of relevant legislation affecting work with community groups and Community
Development work in neighbourhood/areas
KA7.6The developmental processes integral to becoming a manager of Community Development
practitioners.
Models and processes required for managing Community Development practice
KA7.7
How to advocate for Community Development practice at a strategic level
KA7.8Ways of demonstrating the impact and effectiveness of Community Development on communities
and organisations
KA7.9The strategic/high-level decision-making and planning processes within the employing organisation
and with partners
KA7.10Models for managing individual and organisational change and development, and for handling
conflict
Resources for managing Community Development practice
KA7.11 Relevance of experience of Community Development practice to a management role
KA7.12 National indicators and evaluation frameworks relevant to Community Development practice
KA7.13Mechanisms for identifying the skills, knowledge, support and guidance needed by Community
Development practitioners
KA7.14Sources of specialist advice and information relevant to Community Development practitioners
KA7.15Models for devolved decision-making and their suitability in different situations
Managing Community Development practitioners
KA7.16 Models of individual and group supervision of professional front-line staff
KA7.17Relevant organisational policies and procedures to support the supervision, accountability and
management of staff
KA7.18 Time management and individual workload planning
KA7.19Tension between professional and organisational values and ways of working and how these can
be addressed
KA7.20 The use of evaluative material in team and organisational work planning
90
National Occupational Standards Community Development
Back to contents page
Support Community Learning from Shared Experiences | KA7
KA7.21The role of leader and models of leadership, including acting as an advocate and working
collectively
KA7.22The importance of critically reflecting on practice with people in communities, and using the results
for personal, professional and organisational development.
The standards (S) in Key Area Seven are:
S24
Supervise Community Development practitioners
S25Manage internal organisational development and external relationships to support effective
Community Development practice.
National Occupational Standards Community Development
91
Back to contents page
KA7 | Support Community Learning from Shared Experiences
Standard Twenty Four:
Supervise Community Development practitioners
This standard relates to the role of supporting and managing paid and unpaid Community Development
practitioners. Some of the statements apply specifically to the supervision of paid staff, whilst the more
general statements are equally applicable when providing support to activists and volunteers.
The Community Development values inform the approach to supervision and support that is expressed in
this unit. There are specific issues that Community Development practitioners will have to address in their
practice that the supervision should help prepare them to respond to.
This standard is relevant to all managers of Community Development practitioners . This standard is within
Key Area Seven and the knowledge and understanding statements that relate to this standard are included in
the Key Area Seven (KA7) knowledge section above.
What Community Development managers need to be able to do
S24.1Model their commitment to Community Development values and processes to people they work
with
S24.2Recognise the limits of their own skills and knowledge in relation to Community Development; seek
advice/guidance as appropriate for professional development
S24.3Apply human-resource management skills to Community Development: to include workload
planning and management, supervision, appraisal, individual development planning, support and
guidance, and accountability
S24.4Enable the development of a vision for Community Development, based on community
consultations, which includes outcomes and impacts as well as outputs
S24.5Motivate Community Development practitioners to explore their own learning and support needs
and identify how these can be met
S24.6Support Community Development practitioners to analyse their work and to negotiate and
implement agreements on their role and practice
S24.7Promote and support Community Development practitioners to reflect on their work as the basis for
their future workload planning and approaches to their activities
S24.8Enable Community Development practitioners to develop a detailed knowledge of the communities
they work with
S24.9Support Community Development practitioners to identify and use opportunities for collaborative
working between communities
92
National Occupational Standards Community Development
Back to contents page
Support Community Learning from Shared Experiences | KA7
S24.10Support Community Development practitioners to make the best use of their time through
prioritising and balancing competing demands
S24.11Provide support and guidance to Community Development practitioners on how to respond to
tensions between the communities they work with and organisational policies and procedures,
including expectations for their accountability
S24.12Ensure Community Development practitioners have up-to-date information on relevant legislation
and have the confidence to implement its requirements
S24.13Ensure Community Development practitioners have up-to-date information on relevant local,
regional and national policies and recognise the implications for their practice
S24.14Ensure Community Development practitioners document their work and community activities, both
to provide a record of what has taken place and for use in evaluating the impact of Community
Development
S24.15Ensure Community Development practitioners are encouraged and supported to maintain an up-todate knowledge and understanding of trends and developments in Community Development theory
and practice and how this applies to their everyday work
S24.16Encourage practitioners to use the Community Development National Occupational Standards to
support their continual professional development.
Examples in Standard Twenty Four of Community Development
values in practice
The following examples correspond to the key values described at the beginning of Key Area One (Core):
Equality and Anti-discrimination, Social Justice, Collective Action, Community Empowerment and Working
and Learning Together.
V1Power differences between managers and practitioners are openly acknowledged and inform the
building of effective working relationships
V2Community Development practitioners have the confidence to challenge inappropriate behaviour
towards, and inappropriate attitudes and approaches to, communities by other agencies
V3Community Development practitioners are resourced and encouraged to attend networking events
V4Community groups negotiate the roles and input they require from Community Development
practitioners
V5Community members and practitioners are supported to jointly produce case studies to celebrate
their activities and show their impact.
National Occupational Standards Community Development
93
Back to contents page
KA7 | Support Community Learning from Shared Experiences
Standard Twenty Five:
Manage internal organisational development and external
relationships to support effective Community Development
practice
This standard is about creating an environment which is conducive to practitioners being able to undertake
effective Community Development work. Employing Community Development practitioners or undertaking
a Community Development approach will create issues for any organisation and its partners, which they
need to be prepared for and have addressed. This standard relates to the tasks that need to be undertaken
to raise awareness of Community Development within any organisation, and to ensure that working
relationships between the different levels and groups within an organisation are encouraged and supported.
It relates to managing the relationships between an organisation and the communities that it works with and
within.
This standard is relevant to those who manage relationships in a Community Development context and to
all managers of Community Development practitioners. It is within Key Area Seven and the Knowledge and
Understanding that relate to this Standard are included in the Key Area Seven (KA7) Knowledge section
above.
What Community Development managers need to be able to do
S25.1Enable the organisation to gather evidence to regularly review and analyse the political, social
and economic changes to its working environment and consider the implications for Community
Development practice
S25.2
Deal effectively with change, uncertainty and conflict, internal and external to the organisation
S25.3
Operate effectively at both local and strategic levels
S25.4Encourage joint problem solving within teams and between practitioners and other organisational
staff
S25.5Develop and implement policy and strategies to increase community empowerment and community
involvement in planning and decision-making processes
S25.6Inform colleagues, senior managers, elected/appointed members, decision/policy makers and
partner agencies about the relevance of Community Development and use evaluation evidence to
demonstrate its impact
S25.7
Manage the tensions that can arise between professional and organisational values
S25.8Recognise the impact of an organisation’s decisions on communities and take a lead to manage
that impact
94
National Occupational Standards Community Development
Back to contents page
Support Community Learning from Shared Experiences | KA7
S25.9Ensure organisational policies support the continuing professional development of Community
Development practitioners
S25.10Provide guidance on models of devolved decision making and planning and how to determine their
appropriateness in different situations
S25.11Support the use of reflections from Community Development practitioners to inform management
decisions around organisational development and change
S25.12Assess the impact of Community Development practice on particular communities and share this
with relevant others to support future planning
S25.13Demonstrate the leadership roles required for a Community Development manager.
Examples in Standard Twenty Five of Community Development
values in practice:
The following examples correspond to the key values described at the beginning of Key Area One (Core):
Equality and Anti-discrimination, Social Justice, Collective Action, Community Empowerment and Working
and Learning Together.
V1Issues of discrimination raised by communities are actively listened to
V2Power differences between those involved in community empowerment are recognised and
addressed by organisations
V3The collective nature of Community Development is maintained in the face of targets relating to
individuals
V4Organisations adopt participatory decision-making processes which actively involve community
groups and organisations as equal partners
V5Community members lead workshops to discuss a Community Development approach to
community empowerment with councillors, officers from several public bodies, and Community
Development practitioners.
National Occupational Standards Community Development
95
DEVELOPING THE LIFELONG
LEARNING WORKFORCE
OF TODAY…
This information is available in alternative
formats from Lifelong Learning UK
Lifelong Learning UK
Centurion House
24 Monument Street
LONDON
EC3R 8AQ
Ref: 200910.04.
Please contact us on:
0300 303 1877
www.lluk.org
enquiries@lluk.org